Generational transformation already was upon the Australian team, and when they convene again, it will be not only under a new captain, but as an nearly unrecognisable ensemble from the one that began this series. No we’re not, we’re nowhere near the finished article, but we’ve got a very exciting team and I genuinely believe there will be some really good times.

“We lost the series”.

“We have some game-changers in that squad and in the tests we’ve won we’ve really rammed home our advantage quickly”. That’s all I ask for. I think it’s such an emotional time over the last 10 days in terms of highs and what we’ve just experienced.

Players from both sides wore black armbands in memory of Australias Arthur Morris, one of Test crickets greatest opening batsman and a member of Don Bradmans celebrated 1948 ‘Invincibles, whose death at the age of 93 was announced today. I never thought I would get this second opportunity and to be a part of it is pretty special. “Plan A would have had Ryan Harris playing the first Test match for us, and that was plan A – but plans can change”, he said.

In losing the Ashes 3-2, the visitors won by 405 runs at Lord’s and an innings and 46 runs at The Oval. The chaos their team encountered in the press after the handing of the urn in the third Test at Trent Bridge had suggestions of problems in building a team bonding and of domestic cricket in Australia, but all the volatility conjured was put to rest by this win. The tendency for both to self-destruct for low scores in this series also suggests that this fallibility resides in the batting. “He’s got confidants that he talks to, like us all”, said the coach.

Peter Siddle continued his stunning return to the team by taking three of the four wickets Australia needed at The Oval on the final day, which was prolonged by rain halting play between 12.15pm and 3pm.

Foremost of the Australian bowlers across the five Tests was off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

“I want to thank “Boof” [Darren Lehmann] and Rod [Marsh, chief selector] for all their help and support through but this series”.

Fans of the Baggy Green will be hoping for some more successful decisions than Lehmann and selector Rod Marsh made in England.

THERE has been quite a bit of reporting, a lot of it misleading, about my demand for accountability from Australia’s chairman of selectors, Rod Marsh. There’s people will look at their individual roles and assess how they’ve gone. “They have given me as much support as I have asked for”, Clarke said. “It’s our job to pick that final XI but you always consult the captain, that’s important”.

“We’ve got to play a lot better than we’ve played over the series so far”.

No one at present personifies the ups and downs better than Ben Stokes – capable of match-winning spells and innings but liable to leak runs or play the wrong shot too.

The entire series lasted just 18 days and it was no surprise that some Aussie tour groups were asking for their money back.