The gap between the fourth Test where England polished off Australia to win back the Ashes was far too long. The celebrations had come and gone and this match almost felt like it belonged to another series (possibly even the last Ashes series considering the result).

It was a crushing defeat of an innings and 46 runs this time it wasn’t in England’s favour. The pendulum had once again swung but it was too little too late for Australia. It did however it proved just how inconsistent the series had been. Never before had such huge Test margins been seen where one team did not dominate. Only three other series’ had seen margins resembling the 169 runs, 405 runs, eight wickets, an innings and 78 runs, and an innings and 46 runs that occurred in the 2015 Ashes. Each of which ended in a 5-0 white wash. 18 days of play (the joint lowest) and not a single day 5 (the first ever in a five test series).

Regardless however, of the overall series results and it’s triviality, it was the perfect end to Chris Rogers and Michael Clarke’s Test careers. Australia’s captain-in-waiting scored a wonderful 143 and was backed up by David Warner and Adam Voges. Australia scored an immense total of 481. Unlike in Trent Bridge, this time it did seem like England were missing Jimmy Anderson. The bowlers struggled to remove the Australian’s that they had only a fortnight ago bowled out for 60. Stuart Broad who had been key in Nottingham was unable to find his rhythm and did not take a single wicket. England’s batting performance was as poor, 10 batsmen came and went in succession. Twice. An entire two innings worth of cricket, only Alastair Cook was able to score above 50.

It was an entertaining end, to an entertaining series. One that will be remembered for it’s extravagance rather than significance.