From batting woes to pace aces, major takeaways from Ashes 2019

England won the final Ashes Test to level the five-match series against Australia at 2-2, with the tourists retaining the urn. Here things learned from the contest

Steve Smith

Ben Stokes has become a giant figure in English cricket.

The all-rounder was already a national hero after his World Cup exploits, which propelled England to their first-ever victory in the 50-over competition.

But, restored to the position of Test vice-captain, he also produced the magic in the Ashes, hitting two centuries, including a phenomenal match-winning knock of 135 not out at Headingley.

Stokes was played as a specialist batsman in the final Test at the Oval, showing how highly he is valued, and he picked up England's man-of-the-series award.

With a few notable exceptions the frontline batsmen struggled during the Ashes series.

Smith was the standout performer and Australia's Marnus Labuschagne also impressed, averaging more than 50 in his seven innings.

But David Warner had a stinker, scoring just 95 runs in 10 innings at a paltry average of 9.5 after an impressive World Cup.

Ben Stokes was the only player to top 400 runs for England but opener Rory Burns boosted his reputation, averaging 39 against Australia's fearsome quicks.

England captain Joe Root had a poor series by his high standards, averaging 32.5 with three ducks.

Australia can boast two bowlers in the top 10 of the Test rankings in Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and the pair were at the top of their game throughout the series, taking a combined 49 wickets.

With Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson also in the mix, Australia have a pace battery to strike fear into any batting line-up.

England suffered a huge blow when James Anderson was injured in the first Test and could take no further part in the series.

But Stuart Broad, his long time new-ball partner, stepped up, taking 23 wickets.

And the pace of Jofra Archer, who touched speeds of 95 miles per hour on Sunday, is a major weapon for England.

Archer took six wickets in Australia's first innings at the Oval to swing the game England's way and finished his first series with 22 wickets at an average of just over 20.

The World Cup final ended in the most dramatic way possible, with the one-day showpiece throwing down a gauntlet to the longer form of the game.

But the Ashes also produced many moments of high drama in front of packed crowds at English grounds.

The highlight was England's phenomenal Stokes-inspired win at Headingley, which put Test cricket firmly back in the public consciousness.