England were brought to their knees in Hobart as their limp Ashes campaign was put out of its misery with a 4-0 thrashing.
The margin of defeat here was 146 runs, but it hardly matters. All it did was confirm what we’ve known since the moment Mitchell Starc sent down the first ball of the series.
England have not been good enough in any department or prepared enough in any department to prevent Australia from dominating at every turn.
This might not go down in history as a whitewash, thanks to a desperate draw in Sydney, nine down, but in truth it has been no better than the 5-0 results that have gone before it.
Here are the England player ratings...
Rory Burns - 1
An awful tour that began as badly as possible for a batsman, out first ball, and hardly improved from there. Has shrunk in the face of the challenge of Ashes cricket Down Under, a real let down.
Played: 3
Runs: 77
Ave: 12.83
Zak Crawley - 5
Managed to provide a glimpse of what he is capable of in Sydney and continued the confident approach in Hobart. Looks to have the tools to thrive Down Under next time.
Played: 3
Runs: 166
Ave: 27.66
Haseeb Hameed - 1
Picked too soon after finding some form in county cricket and found that his game is neither suited to, nor quite good enough to cope with the demands of Test cricket in this part of the world.
Played: 4
Runs: 80
Ave: 10
Dawid Malan - 5
A hugely encouraging start to the series with twin 80s in the first two games, but faded badly thereafter as Australia’s bowlers got on top and the odd decision went against him. Has also felt the impact of touring since the T20 World Cup.
Played: 5
Runs: 244
Ave: 24.44
Joe Root - 6
Unsurprisingly his batting output diminished as the series wore on and the weight of carrying England’s batting caught up with him. Made some curious decisions as captain that didn’t help his side’s cause.
Played: 5
Runs: 322
Ave: 32.20
Wickets: 5
Ave: 46.80
Ben Stokes - 5
The tour arrived just a touch too soon for him after his injury break and has been striving to get up to top speed with bat and ball. Played a big part in the Sydney draw, but expectations were significantly higher.
Played: 5
Runs: 236
Ave: 23.60
Wickets: 4
Ave: 71.50
Ollie Pope - 2
So much promised and so little delivered. Pope is in danger of becoming the best batsman of his generation everywhere outside the Test arena. Skittish and frenzied rather than composed at the crease, improved shot selection would make all the difference.
Played: 3
Runs: 67
Ave: 11.16
Jonny Bairstow - 7 - Scored the only hundred of the series for England and then batted bravely in the second innings to help secure the draw. Showed he still has a future at Test level but needs to commit totally and help set the fitness standards.
Played: 2
Runs: 194
Ave: 48.50
Jos Buttler - 3
A shame that his tour was ended by injury, but the truth is Buttler’s Test cricket race should now be run. He is clearly finding it a struggle and his output is well short of where it needs to be both with bat and gloves. Continue to be the king of ODI and T20.
Played: 4
Runs: 107
Ave: 15.28
Sam Billings - 5
A last-minute addition to the tour and jumped in head first and gave a decent account of himself with bat and gloves on debut.
Played: 1
Runs: 30
Ave: 15
Chris Woakes - 3
Largely ineffective with the ball and offered a couple of contributions with the bat. A tour that puts a serious question mark on his ability to be a threat away from home
Played: 3
Runs: 146
Ave: 24.33
Wickets: 6
Ave: 55.33
Stuart Broad - 6
Missed out on the two pitches that would have suited him best in Brisbane and Melbourne and got up to speed in Sydney and Hobart. Still an effective operator at the highest level.
Played: 3
Wickets: 13
Ave: 26.30
Ollie Robinson - 6
Clearly a skilful and talented bowler who has the ability to be a mainstay of England’s attack for many years, but only if he dedicates himself to the life of an international bowler. Fitness and responsibility are part of his work ons.
Played: 4
Wickets: 11
Ave: 25.54
Mark Wood - 8
Never gives anything but total commitment to his work and got his just rewards in the final match, but should have been utilised in the first three matches. Caused the Aussie batsmen most problems.
Played: 4
Wickets: 17
Ave: 26.64
James Anderson - 7
Still England’s best bowler, but age is catching up with him. Cannot be expected to lead the line every time. When fit and available he remains the biggest threat with the ball.
Played: 3
Wickets: 8
Ave: 23.37
Jack Leach - 4
Mishandled and misused. Thrown to the wolves in Brisbane and denied a turning pitch in Adelaide which summed up England’s muddled thinking. Could be handy if trusted and had scoreboard pressure to work with.
Played: 3
Wickets: 6
Ave: 53.50
