Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

There's only so many bad series that the game can sustain. This was a disappointing tour, not just for England, but as a spectacle.

England bowler James Anderson on BT Sport: "It's been a tough few weeks. We have come up short on most occasions. Australia have outplayed us throughout the series. It's bitterly disappointing because we came out here hoping to cause an upset.

"It's a horrible feeling seeing them celebrating with the Ashes.

"The Australians have scored mountains of runs and they've had all four bowlers take over 20 wickets. You're going to struggle to compete at that."

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Mr C, Elgin

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

The England side four years ago, you felt as though the white towel came out very early on the tour. You didn't feel that this time around. I've never felt that England have given up. They've just not been good enough.

More from James Anderson: "I think we've been outplayed in key moments in the games. We've been in them to an extent but we've not been able to capitalise on them. Steve Smith's side were far better throughout the tournament.

"They have a fantastic bowling attack and all the batsmen have come to the party. That's where we've slipped up - we've not scored the amount of runs we need to win a series like this. As a bowling group we've not put enough pressure on at times."

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Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

That trophy ceremony was appropriately muted and underwhelming for a tour which has been very disappointing.

Four years ago, Australia ripped England apart thanks to one of the best ever displays of fast bowling by Mitchell Johnson.

There was no single spell in this series that could rival that onslaught, but the combined efforts of Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc produced similar outcomes.

Being able to rotate through three strike bowlers while Lyon tied up the other end has ensured England's batsmen could never settle, even when they got themselves into promising positions throughout the series.

Man of the match Pat Cummins: "It’s been fun to play alongside the other bowlers. We’re all really close, we’ve played a lot of cricket together now. What Nathan Lyon has done in this series has been exceptional. He has held up an end and allowed us fast bowlers to run in and attack.

"Playing in an Ashes series has been everything I could have asked for. As a kid, you see all the hype, but being involved, I’ve loved every minute."

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Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon get their turn with the trophy.

All four took 20+ wickets in the series - and were the only four Aussie bowlers to take wickets.

You don't need a fifth option when your front four are this good.

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Jeremy Dodgson: Glad that’s finally over. Like watching an animal die. We should have been put out of our misery weeks ago.

Australia captain Steve Smith on his own form: "I just love being out in the middle and doing the job, trying to lead from the front. I work very hard in the nets. My mind is probably in as good a place as its been with my batting. I'm making good decisions consistently. I'm really proud of the way I've been able to lead from the front."

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

This is the most underwhelming awards ceremony I've ever seen. It sums up the series - it has been a bit of a damp squib, because the teams have been so mis-matched.

Smith is handed the Ashes trophy and beckons his side onto the stage to celebrate.

He's got the urn - or rather, a replica of it - in his other hand, which he then passes to vice-captain David Warner.

Warner gives it back and Smith lifts the little trophy above his head.

Far from the wildest of celebrations - after all, the Ashes were regained at Perth. But that's a very satisfying match to end on for the hosts.

Australia captain Steve Smith: "England had a foot in the door in all of the Test matches. They've played some exceptional cricket. We've just been able to get on top and then not let them back in the game.

"It's a lot of different things - belief, playing at home, knowing our roles. We've played some very good cricket."

Unsurprisingly, Australia captain Steve Smith is named man of the series.

The outstanding Smith scored a stunning 687 runs at an average of 137.4 over the five Tests, including three centuries, two fifties and a high score of 239.

England vice-captain James Anderson: "Joe is asleep at the minute. He's got a bug and he's not been too well throughout the night. It's taken it's toll on him and the heat didn't help."

England captain Joe Root is still suffering with gastroenteritis in the dressing room, so vice-captain James Anderson will be speaking at the presentation...

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

It's been a one-sided Ashes. There have been moments that have been decent viewing for an Englishman - Jimmy Anderson swinging the ball in Adelaide - which make me think things will be swapped onto the other foot over there.

Pat Cummins has been named man of the match at the SCG.

Plenty of stellar candidates, not least Usman Khawaja for his 171 and Shaun Mash for his 156.

However, it goes to Cummins for his eight wickets, four in each innings. He was tremendous today and got the key wicket of Jonny Bairstow, which led to England's collapse.