After four years and four months, the Ashes are back in Australia's possession.
Where now?
David Lloyd thinks England have tough decisions to make about the future of some of their senior players, in particular Prior and Kevin Pietersen. Former England coach Lloyd said: "There won't be wholesale changes, of course, and you could argue that eight players will play [at the MCG on Boxing Day] - they pick themselves. But the wicketkeeper is under the microscope and there will be younger wicketkeepers who could come in and do that job. Kevin Pietersen is an interesting one. Your gun-player, your best player has been out-performed at number four by Michael Clarke. The one thing I would say having been in dressing rooms where everything has been reversed is 'are these the best players?' You'd probably say 'yes, they are' but then you look them in the eye - and how matches they've played - and ask if they've still got the stomach for this.
Click here to listen to our experts discuss the situation in the latest Ashes podcast.
Brighter future
England's established players, particularly the batsmen, have been the main culprits for the side's poor form in Australia but, in the shape of rookie all-rounder Stokes, there has at least been one positive to emerge. Handed a debut in Adelaide, the Durham player has taken an immediate liking to international cricket, contributing with bat and ball. His century in Perth was confirmation that England have a player - fitness permitting - who can balance the Test side for the next decade.
Click here for our full feature on Stokes.
