ASHES SNAPSHOT

KNOCK OF THE SERIES

After England posted 302, Australia were in trouble at 4-76 in the first Test before Steve Smith (right) came to the rescue. His 141 not out helped Australia establish a first-innings lead and won them the match.

BALL OF THE SERIES

When Mitchell Starc removed James Vince’s off stump in Perth, some called it the ball of this century. It veered sharply to beat Vince’s outside edge and the England No.3 admitted afterwards that there was nothing he could have done about it.

CATCH OF THE SERIES

Smith was having an ordinary time in the field until he produced a stunning left-handed grab to dismiss Dawid Malan in Sydney. Smith dropped four catches –- including Malan earlier – before he dived sharply at second slip to remove the No.5 for 62.

STAT OF THE SERIES

20 Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood took more than 20 wickets each, the third time a four-man unit had achieved the feat, joining Australia in the 2006-07 Ashes and the West Indies against England in 1995.

TURNING POINT

When Nathan Lyon ran out James Vince for 83 on day one of the first Test, it proved a decisive moment. On a Gabba deck that was offering little, Lyon fielded the ball at point and produced a direct hit to remove the right-hander. At the time, England were threatening to pile on a big score.

SURPRISE PACKET

Shaun Marsh. When he had his Cricket Australia contract terminated midway through last year, he thought his Test career was over – again. His selection in the Australian middle order was criticised but two tons, including a big 156 in Sydney, silenced his knockers and locked in a tour to South Africa.

DUD OF THE SERIES

Moeen Ali. The English allrounder disappointed with bat and ball. His 171 runs at an average of 21.37 and five wickets at 115.00 were disastrous. He was set to be dropped for the Sydney Test however earned a stay of execution when Chris Woakes suffered a side strain.