"I do think it’s been closer than 4-0," said England bowler Jimmy Anderson after Australia wrapped up the series.

"We’ve been on top in some games if not all the games at some stage. We’ve just not capitalised in the key moments where, if we kick on with the bat and get a big score in the first innings then we put them under more pressure.

"Similarly if we get them a couple of wickets down early it would get us in the game and get us on top.

"We’ve just not managed to do it in those key moments and they’ve handled those pressurised moment and situations better than us and eventually when they’ve done that and put pressure back on us we’ve not coped with it well and that’s why they’ve won."

Ben Turner: Best Newcomer: Malan (to Tests)/Cummins (To Ashes tests)

Jon Heaver: Best newcomer - Overton

Raza: Dawid Malan, first ashes and he is our leading scorer! Well done to him For me, deservedly best English player in the Ashes

NA: Dawid Malan best newcomer with his hundred the best innings

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney

Image source, PA

Before the series began, England's biggest concern was the number of inexperienced players in their squad and, specifically, the greenness of three of their top five.

If the jury is still out on Vince and Stoneman, then the tourists have certainly found a batsman in Malan.

The Middlesex left-hander had a wobbly introduction to Test cricket in the home summer, but has grown in stature at the crease with calmness, bravery and an off-drive you could take home to meet your mother.

The highlight was an emotional maiden Test century in Perth which, added to three half-centuries, have made him England's highest runscorer of the series.

Malan could end up as England's next number three. His occasional leg-spin is useful, too.

There's a name that keeps creeping up in the best newcomer category, too...

Right, your responses have been flooding in, so let's have a look at some of your Ashes picks...

Plenty of you, like Alex Maynard, have plumped for Steve Smith as your player of the series. In fact, our inbox reads a little like this at the minute:

• Series' best player - Steve Smith
• Steve Smith player of the series
• Series best player - Steve Smith

But remember to give us your name when responding...!

Image source, Reuters

In the Sydney Morning Herald,, external leading cricket writer Malcolm Knox says Australia should be proud of a 4-0 scoreline against an England side which contains their highest ever Test run-scorer (Alastair Cook) and two wicket-takers (James Anderson and Stuart Broad). He says they are the English equivalent of Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath in their standing. Not a bad comparison, to be fair. England do have two or three legends in their ranks. They weren't good enough to stop a rampant Australia, mind.

Now then, it is hard to look any further than Australia captain Smith when trying to select the player of the series, but we're going to ask you to do just that...

We're looking for your England player of the Ashes, and you can vote for who you think deserves such an accolade from our five-man shortlist on the side of this page.

Why not also let us know the reason behind your choice using #bbccricket or text 81111.

Image source, PA

Australia captain Steve Smith was unsurprisingly awarded the Compton-Miller medal as man of the series.

He scored 687 runs at an average of 137.40, hitting three centuries, two half-centuries and a high score of 239.

Would England's struggles in Australia have been worse if it wasn't for Anderson? He's the only England bowler to make it into the series' top five wicket takers...

• Pat Cummins (Australia) - 23
• Mitchell Starc (Australia) - 22
• Josh Hazlewood (Australia) - 21
• Nathan Lyon (Australia) - 21
• James Anderson (England) - 17

Image source, Getty Images

Here's what Jimmy Anderson had to say following that defeat: "It’s tough. We’ve known for a few weeks they’re going to lift the urn, but I guess seeing them do it in person is tough to watch.

"There’s not a lot we can do about it. We’ve not played well enough and they deserve to win it. Give them credit.

"They’re well within their rights to be over the moon with that win."

What's the reaction to the 4-0 series win in Australia been? Well, for many of the newspapers, they've moved on. The Brisbane Courier Mail, which revels in getting stuck into England ahead of and during the series opener to any Ashes in Australia, went with the simple headline of 'Job done'. Much of its coverage is devoted to Australian Open tennis and Big Bash cricket now. The Poms? They were smashed by December.

Image source, Courier Mail

Image source, Getty Images

Australia bowled out England for 180 mid-way through the second session, sealing a 4-0 Ashes victory - thrashing the tourists by an innings and 123 runs.

England captain Joe Root spent the morning in hospital with gastroenteritis and was unable to resume his innings when play started. Moeen Ali went in instead but was yet again dismissed cheaply by Nathan Lyon.

Root did then appear and bravely reached 58 not out at lunch, ably supported by Jonny Bairstow.

But Root's condition worsened and he did not return. Pat Cummins then produced a majestic spell, snaring Bairstow lbw before bouncing out Stuart Broad and Mason Crane.

Tom Curran batted admirably and James Anderson offered plucky resistance, before the latter was given out caught behind off Josh Hazlewood.

Anderson didn't even hit it - but when he tried to review, he discovered England had no referrals left as Australia rejoiced in the Sydney sunshine.

While you're making those choices, let's have a quick look at how things unfolded on the final day...

Right, straight off the bat...

We want to know the:

• Series' best player
• Best newcomer
• Best innings
• Best delivery
• Moment of madness
• Quote of the Ashes

So make it the first thing you do this Monday morning to send us your thoughts using #bbccricket or via text on 81111.

Image source, EPA

It seems a long time since England bounded into the first Ashes Test in Brisbane in November, full of promise...

Seven punishing weeks later and it's all over.

Not a win to their name, just one draw to show for what has proved a testing series for players, pundits and followers alike.

But there were glimmers of hope, flickers of inspiration and a relentless vocal tide of support throughout from the travelling Barmy Army.

So let's try and sum it all up...