Mark’s pace has unsettled so many of the Aussie batsmen hitting them on the gloves, arms and body. He got them out of their comfort zone resorting to having a dart at hooking him and getting out. He was a breath of fresh air  and if he can stay fit he will have lots more success.

Zak’s batting at the end was a delightful surprise. Being tall with a big stride that helps him get to the pitch of the ball he was a scoreboard mover putting a bit of pressure back on the bowler. Against him bowlers run up thinking if I do not get my length or line right he will punish me. He has a simple orthodox technique with lovely timing. Please Zak – do not be a flash in the pan as we need a lot more from you.

Then there were a few players who did enough to keep their reputations.

Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad had limited opportunities but when they did play showed their quality.

Ollie Robinson was fine but I just feel if he is going to be a factor abroad he needs a bit more pace. In his short international career he has got away with ‘putting in there’ and been lucky with a few bowler friendly pitches. More venom from his height would make him a real handful on any surface like Joel Garner and Curtly Ambrose. To increase his speed he must get fitter and leaner.

Jonny Bairstow’s century in Melbourne was top notch. In and out of the team, being written off by some people, new guys getting the nod ahead of him for the first three Test matches. His career was going nowhere so to come out and play like that with England again in trouble was tremendous.

Ben Stokes showed us glimpses of what he might do but to be honest there were mitigating circumstances why he couldn’t perform. A lack of competitive cricket in England and no match practice before the series because of rain left him a shadow of the great batsman.

Then there were the flops.

Jos Buttler dropped catches and his batting was dreadful. Early on, his feet were all over the place leaving him too far away from the ball when it was around off stump. He was caught at cover from a leading edge poking at the ball and whacking it to deep mid wicket as soon as he came in. Jos is great against ordinary bowlers but against top class bowling he was found out.

Haseeb Hameed, I am sad to say, has not got it. No matter how decent Haseeb looks in the nets or in county cricket he has struggled and will struggle at international level playing like he does in a straight line.

Rory Burns is ugly to watch. If that is the best of what English cricket has to offer then God help England, his technique you would not give to a friend. The guy has tremendous determination and guts. I take my hat off to him and full credit for everything he gets out of his batting but England need to find something better.