With the first installment of the two-party 2013/14 Ashes series having ended, Paul Radley fonds out who did well in the English summer and who could do better.
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England OK, so 5-0 never did come to pass and their winter assignment in the return series looks a far stiffer challenge now than it did back in June. But this was still a summer of triumph for England. Ian Bell, Joe Root, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann all enjoyed at least one moment in the sun. If they all fire at the same time this winter, Australia have no chance.
Ian Bell (England) It is many years since the Sherminator needed anyone else to fight his battles for him. But Kevin Pietersen was clearly spoiling for a ruck in the Oval Test and was quick to jump to his defence. "He has scored as many centuries in this series as you have in your career," KP sledged back to Shane Watson. End of debate.
Steve Smith (Australia) When Smith was first granted a crack at Ashes cricket two and a half years back, he was as stunned as anyone, suggesting it must be down to his bubbly personality. Back then he seemed like a walking wicket. Not so much now. He remains idiosyncratic at the crease, but 338 runs in a losing campaign suggests there is substance to go with it.
It proved to be a difficult series for the umpires Aleem Dar, left, and Kumar Dharmasena. Tom Hevezi / EPA
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Neutral umpires We often hear about how tough touring life is for international cricketers. What about the umpires? Unlike the players, they are on the field for all five days. They never get to play at home, either. If Ian Gould or Nigel Llong, for example, had been able to make the short commute to stand in Tests in their homeland, maybe the howlers would have been fewer.
Ed Cowan (Australia) Because of a likeable personality and a decent Test record, the erudite left-hander had plenty of air-time before the start of the series. Then he scored 14 in two innings at Trent Bridge and was never seen again. Australia struggled to hit on a reliable No 3 until Shane Watson belted his career best score at the Oval. Which is bad for Cowan.
Simon Kerrigan (England) Some feared we had seen the last of Monty Panesar as an international cricketer when he lost his status as England's second spinner due to his off-field problems. And then Kerrigan crumbled under the pressure of an Ashes debut with a cringing display at the Oval. Come back, Monty, all is forgiven.
