BBC SPORT | Cricket | The Ashes | England player ratings

Nasser Hussain

Handicapped by a series of injuries to key players, he was unable to find a strategy to combat Australia's all-round strength until it was too late.

Criticised by some for constantly tinkering with the field placings, the captaincy nevertheless remains his for as long as he wants it.

Contributed well with the bat, totalling 382 runs in the series, but will be disappointed not to have added to his 12 Test centuries.

Michael Vaughan

Three centuries in the series confirmed Vaughan as a batsman of the highest class and his wicket above all others was most prized by the Australian attack.

A dodgy knee and a cracked shoulder suffered during the third Test did not inhibit his magnificent strokeplay, but he is still prone to occasional lapses in the field.

Vaughan's Ashes in pictures

Marcus Trescothick

After two years of unbroken success, Trescothick's technique was exposed by the Australian seamers, who picked up his wicket by maintaining a disciplined line around off stump.

Began the series with 72 in Brisbane, but was caught behind on five occasions and averaged only 26 for the series.

Mark Butcher

An inconsistent performer, he redeemed his reputation with a century in Sydney, where he benefitted from two dropped catches.

Made a promising start to the series but was needlessly run out in the first innings at Perth and also had a tendency to fall lbw to McGrath and Gillespie.

Robert Key

An innings of 174 against Australia A early in the tour showed what Key is capable of, and he was not intimidated by the reputation of their Test attack.

Made his first half century in Tests at Melbourne and his approach impressed tour management, but still has much to do to establish himself as a permanent member of the team.

John Crawley

A contentious selection for the tour, Crawley proved his worth with an unbeaten 69 in the first Test at Brisbane.

His hopes of building on that were dashed by a leg injury and he did not play again until Melbourne. Capable of heavy scoring against weaker attacks, he must wait to see whether he keeps his place this summer.

Alec Stewart

Now in his 40th year, his commitment to the cause is undimmed and his batting average of 44.6, helped by three half centuries, was second only to Vaughan.

His keeping was not as clean as in previous years and the hand injury which allowed James Foster to play in the fourth Test pointed the way to the future.

Craig White

Did all that could have been expected of him with the ball, regaining much of his old nip before falling victim to a side strain, which prevented him adding to his 14 wickets.

Less impressive with the bat, but hit three sixes and nine fours in his 85 in Melbourne before running out of partners with a century there for the taking.

Richard Dawson

Picked chiefly for the purpose of gaining experience, he ended up playing four Tests after Ashley Giles was injured.

Unable to seriously disturb the Australian batsmen, he needs more time for his spin bowling to mature. Did enough with the bat to show he could be a source of useful lower order runs in the future.

Ashley Giles

His control was badly missed after his tour was cut short by a broken wrist suffered while batting in the nets at Adelaide.

Took six wickets in his only Test and will remain England's number one spinner for the forseeable future.

Andrew Caddick

The spearhead of the attack following Darren Gough's early return home, his rhythm was disrupted by a number of niggling injuries.

Although England's leading wicket-taker, he only looked near his best in the final two Tests and at 34, he may not have many more series ahead of him.

Matthew Hoggard

Taught some harsh lessons about Test cricket after managing only one wicket in the first two matches and coming in for some heavy punishment.

Dropped from the team until the final Test, he worked hard on his action and returned with a much improved performance at Sydney where he took 4-92 in the first innings.

Steve Harmison

Early problems after arriving in Australia meant Harmison fell behind Simon Jones in the battle of the pace bowling prospects.

Was given his chance, however, after Jones suffered a serious knee injury on the opening day of the Ashes series and his willing attitude and ability to produce disconcerting lift offered promise for the future.

Alex Tudor

Tudor's brief involvement in the series proved a painful experience as a bouncer from Brett Lee left him needing stitches and suffering from blurred vision.

Figures of two for 144 from 29 overs in Adelaide were not what is required from a new ball bowler.

James Foster

England's first-choice 'keeper last winter, he had to settle for a supporting role this time.

Playing in the fourth Test was a bonus and he did a solid job behind the stumps as well as defying Australia for over an hour with the bat in England's first innings.

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