Ashes 2017/18, 5th Test: Hits and misses

Joe Root's England failed to show resistance against Steven Smith & Co. as the visitors succumbed to another crushing defeat by an innings and 123 runs on Monday.

The hosts won the fifth and final Test comfortably and claimed the series 4-0 to retain the iconic Ashes urn.

Pat Cummins, who claimed eight wickets, was named the Man of the Match, while Australia captain Steven Smith was awarded the Compton-Miller Medal as Player of the Series for his 687 runs at 137.40.

Australia and England will now lock horns in the fifty-over format of the game as they will play a five-match ODI series beginning January 14.

Now, let's have a look at the hits and misses from the fifth and final Ashes Test.

Miss: Cameron Bancroft

It seems that the time has run out for Cameron Bancroft, who nudged Matt Renshaw out of the picture and became the first opener to debut in an Ashes series since Michael Slater in 1993.

The 25-year-old, Gloucestershire player's technique got exposed, particularly against the short ball, as he failed to impress in his high-profile debut series.

David Warner's 10th opening partner in Test cricket, Bancroft, has scored 179 runs at an average of 29.83 in the series, raising questions about his positioning and technique.

With the important tour of South Africa starting in March, Bancroft had to score big in the final Ashes Test at the SCG in order to remain in contention for the upcoming crunch series.

Consequently, the Test future of Bancroft now hangs in the balance after a duck in Sydney Test.

Hit: Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins waited for six long years to play his maiden Test at home in Sydney and he made the most of the special occasion by becoming the leading wicket-taker of the match.

The Australian quick was arguably the hosts' best bowler in Sydney as he finished the match with figures of 8-139.

The 24-year-old cleaned up England's middle and lower order on the final morning at the SCG and for this match-winning effort, Cummins was declared the Man of the Match

"I couldn't have asked for much more. To get through the five, win the series. It's been a lot of fun, we are all really close and have played a lot of cricket together. Nathan as held up an end which means the rest of us can attack", said an ecstatic Cummins.

Miss: James Vince

James Vince, who was a surprise inclusion in England's squad to tour Australia, scored 83 at the Gabba, but could not do enough to prove his mettle in the high-profile Ashes series.

The 26-year-old, who scored a half-century at the WACA as well, failed to step up on numerous occasions and could not show promise in his abilities.

Vince's vulnerability outside the off stump was exposed by the Australian bowlers as in his eight innings he scored just 159 runs.

Out of Vince's eight dismissals, six were caught behind the wicket either by the wicketkeeper or slip.

Hit: Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh continued his blistering form as he scored his second ton of the series to lead Australia to a massive first innings total of 649/7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Marsh, who scored a fifty at the Gabba and proved to be the differentiator between the two teams as he remained unbeaten on 126 in Adelaide, scored 156 at the SCG as Australia surged into a comfortable position.

Interestingly, Shaun and Mitchell Marsh followed in the footsteps of the legendary Waugh brothers as they became the latest pair of brothers to score a century in the same innings of a Test match.

The Marsh duo combined forces to put up a 169-run stand in just their fourth innings together and ensured that the hosts won the high-profile Test series 4-0.

Hit: Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja displayed nerves of steel as he scored a graceful 381-ball 171 in the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday to pitch his case for permanent Test selection.

The left-hander got several starts throughout this series but he failed to convert them and therefore his selection for the South Africa series was doubtful.

However, Khawaja seems to have cemented his spot in Australia's Test squad after his heroics at the SCG.

Khawaja, who scored his sixth Test ton and first in the Ashes, played a gritty knock put Australia in complete control of the game at the SCG.