Steve Smith's 687 runs were one clear point of difference between the two sides in the Ashes but the Australia captain was happier to talk about his bowlers after wrapping up a 4-0 series triumph on Monday.
The 28-year-old batsman looked all but immovable at the crease at times during the series and three centuries, one a double and two unbeaten, left him with an average of 137.4 and his status as the world's best batsman intact.
His own particular style, shuffling back and forwards across the crease, paid huge dividends but he said he had been pleased with how all the Australian batsmen, who backed him up with six more centuries, had measured their innings.
Ashes player ratings: Australia
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10 – Steve Smith: Relentless, remorseless - and, ultimately, peerless. Three tons and an average of 137.4. David Gray / Reuters -
9 – Shaun Marsh: To think he wasn’t really trusted before this series. Two centuries and two fifties made a joke of that. David Gray Reuters -
9 - Pat Cummins: Stayed clear of injury, and finished the leading wicket-taker in the series with 23. Rick Rycroft / AP Photo -
9 - Mitchell Starc: Missed Melbourne through injury, yet still ended with 22 wickets from four Tests. David Moir / EPA -
8 – Nathan Lyon: Talked the talk before the series, and more than walked the walk. Matt King/Getty Images -
8 - Mitch Marsh: Like his brother, he was not a universally acclaimed selection, but two brisk centuries quietened the doubters. Dean Lewins / EPA -
8 - David Warner: Plays as many shots with his words as he does with his bat, but he continues to back it up with weight of runs. Ryan Pierse/Getty Images -
8 - Josh Hazlewood: Perhaps the least talked about of Australia’s “Awesome Foursome” bowling attack, but still highly reliable. Scott Barbour/Getty Images -
7 – Tim Paine: Given the cacophony of criticism surrounding his call up, his relative anonymity thereafter was a credit to him. Scott Barbour/Getty Images -
7 - Usman Khawaja: A classy 171 in Sydney was the gloss on a solid body of work for him in this series. Dean Lewins / EPA -
6 – Cameron Bancroft: His debut series was more memorable for his performance in a press conference than it was his batting. But what a press conference it was. Darren England / EPA -
5 – Jackson Bird: Australia went through the series with only four wicket-takers – meaning Bird missed his chance when he filled in for Starc at the MCG. Joe Castro / EPA -
4 – Peter Handscomb: So out of touch with the bat, he looked English. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
"At times we had to bat for a little bit longer for the runs that we wanted. It was a series of patience and perhaps our batters had better patience throughout the series," he said.
"One thing this team’s done really well this series, they’ve adapted to different tempos in the game, different situations in the game and it’s been pleasing to see the way the batting group has progressed.
"Looking at the series as a whole, England had their foot in the door in most Test matches but we just won the key moments in the games and didn't let England back into the games, which was crucial. I was really pleased that we were able to do that."
Smith was not about to forget the contribution of the bowlers, especially after all three quicks and spinner Nathan Lyon took more than 20 wickets each and they bowled out England every time the tourists went out to bat.
Lyon and Josh Hazlewood took 21 wickets, Mitchell Starc 22 despite missing the fourth Test through injury and Pat Cummins topping the list with 23 after taking 4-39 to clean up the England tail on Monday.
Ashes player ratings: England
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7 – James Anderson: Said to lack the tools to thrive in Australia. But 17 wickets at 27.82, with an economy rate of 2.11, is a commendable return. Rick Rycroft / AP Photo -
7 - Dawid Malan: One of a number of batsman who were widely unfancied, he showed he is up to the task by being England’s leading run-scorer in the series. Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) -
7 - Craig Overton: Much to like, not least his willingness to play through the pain of a broken rib. Quinn Rooney/Getty Images -
6 – Joe Root: slept through the closing ceremony because of the effects of dehydration. He might be hoping the whole thing was just a bad dream. Dean Lewins / EPA -
6 - Alastair Cook: Monumental 244 not out in Melbourne, but where was he the rest of the time? Mark Kolbe/Getty Images -
6 - Jonny Bairstow: Misused for too long down at No 7. David Moir / EPA -
5 – Tom Curran: Shows how lean the pickings were for England that he generally reviewed well, despite just two wickets at 100 in his first two Tests. Rick Rycroft /AP Photo -
5 - . Stuart Broad: His team needed so much more from one of their talismans. Rick Rycroft / AP Photo -
5 - . Chris Woakes: Had an extra burden in the absence of Ben Stokes, but his influence was muted. Andy Brownbill / AP Photo -
5 - Mark Stoneman: The question still lingers as to who is best suited to partner Cook at the top of England’s order. Rick Rycroft / AP Photo -
4 - Mason Crane: Breath of fresh air, quickly blown away by the winds of reality. Ryan Pierse/Getty Images -
4 - Jake Ball: Promised much, but it came to nought. James Vince: So frustrating, given he is clearly so talented. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images -
4 - James Vince: So frustrating, given he is clearly so talented. David Moir / EPA -
3 – Moeen Ali: A series to forget. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
"I think all the bowlers did an exceptional job," Smith added.
"Each of our bowlers have over 20 wickets which showed that the guys have bowled together as a group, bowled in partnerships, bowled for one another and helped us take the 80 wickets that we've needed to take four Test matches.
"Nathan has been exceptional with that as well, the way he's bowled and the consistency he's had has been outstanding."
Smith said one of the pleasing things about the series had been the way everybody in the side had contributed, from the batting of the Marsh brothers to Lyon's direct hit to run out James Vince in the first Test in Brisbane.
"For me the moment that changed the whole series was Nathan Lyon and his run out at the Gabba, that was such a huge moment in the series and those sorts of plays can change a series and I think that was a series-changing moment," he said.
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Read more:
- Report: Australia rout England by an innings to win Ashes 4-0
- Graham Caygill: Australian not yet a finished product despite 4-0 Ashes win
- Lyon key to Australia's victory bid in the Sydney cricket Test
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