This was not Australia's best performance of the series, nor was it England's worst. A victory of 5 wickets suggests a closely fought Test match, although the margin of victory was down more to Australian errors in the 4th innings rather than an inspired England fightback. This performance had some bright sparks for England, with the emergence of Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue, as well as Joe Root's reminder of his enduring class. But in the end many of the worst aspects of English performances of this tour were prevalent at Sydney: dropped catches; awful shots; and short-pitched bowling. 

 

England's 1st innings score felt under par, and Australia's response proved that to be the case. Root's century was marginally better than his effort at Brisbane, his runs behind square on the off side ensured he was never bogged down. Harry Brook played nicely, but his half-hearted shot that led to his dismissal sums up a disappointing series. 10 Test matches and no Ashes century is not satisfactory for a player of his talent. Travis Head hit his 3rd hundred of the series, which with Jake Weatherald struggling and technically exposed surely means he will be Australia's long-term opener. Steve Smith hit one of those Ashes centuries where he looked in from ball one, and the inevitability of it all must be so demoralising for the English fielders. Josh Tongue continued his excellent form with the ball, and if fit will surely be back down under in 4 years time. 

But the innings of the match came from Bethell. He has a technique reminiscent of Andrew Strauss, strong off the back foot but punishing anything too full. His calmness contrasts massively with the frenetic nature of Ollie Pope, who if he is to return to the Test side will now be batting in the middle order. Bethell's innings had a similar feeling to the performances of Michael Vaughan in 2002/03 or Ben Stokes in 2013/13 - something hopeful for English fans to cling onto after a miserable tour. The star bowler in this game was Scott Boland. Bethell said after the game with no hesitation he was the toughest bowler to face, and Boland has emphatically hit back at those who suggested this England team would expose his shortcomings. Yet at the age of 36, this may well be the last time we see him in an Ashes series. 

 

The Australian chase was characterised by loose shots and poor running between the wickets. Seeing the amount of turn part-time spinners managed in this game, a frontline spinner for either side would have surely done some serious damage. Matthew Potts did not bowl a single ball in the Aussie chase, even with Ben Stokes injured, and he looks a long way from playing for England again. It was fitting that the winning runs were hit by Alex Carey, a player who has proved he is a world class keeper-batsman, His performances with the bat and gloves have been a key difference between the sides in this series. 

 

After a strange Ashes series, this Test match felt a lot more like the cricket we have seen down under this century. Big Australian runs alongside a couple of English players stepping up whilst the others crumbled. Expect to see the same in 4 years time...