The best team won in the end and if Australia had found a way to come back and draw the series it would have been an injustice.

England dominated the three games from Edgbaston onwards and could have won the series more comfortably than they did. The Australian team have acknowledged that they have been outplayed. They have tried everything to get back in the series but England have not let them.

It's been one of the greatest Test series ever and Australia have played a major part in that. It's even true to say that it's been a privilege to watch such an epic drama unfold.

There will be a post-mortem on the series and the selectors will take stock of why Australia have underachieved and not been allowed to play their natural game. But in the short-term I don't see there being too many changes because the Super Series is coming up and there is no state cricket before then.

The chairman of selectors, Trevor Hohns, has gone to watch Australia 'A' in Pakistan to look into the future of the team. But none of the team will be retiring voluntarily; they will need to be pushed out because the financial rewards at the top are now so great that players continue as long as they can.

More significant than personnel changes is whether this series has an effect on the way Australia play the game. Will they feel the need to make structural changes? Will the coach John Buchanan lose his job because his contract is up?

The fact is that Australia will feel the need to do something before the next Ashes tour which begins in only 14 months. England have met the standards set by Australia and perhaps even raised the bar a notch further. There is a chance than this young England side could be the one to beat for some time to come.

12 Sep, 2005