Australia Celebrate Bittersweet Ashes Success After Losing Oval Test

Australia Retain Ashes

Australia lost the fifth and final Test against England by 135 runs as the series ended in a 2-2 draw. However, Tim Paine's side retained the Ashes as they had won the previous series 4-0 Down Under in 2017/18. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Australia Retain Ashes

Needing 399 for an unlikely win, Australia were boosted by Matthew Wade's second century of the series but they kept losing wickets at regular intervals as they lost by 135 runs. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Australia Retain Ashes

England had prolonged Australia's pain as they stalled Paine's attempt to win a series in the UK after 18 years. Thus, England ended their golden summer on a high, having not lost a series to Australia and also winning the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Australia Retain Ashes

However, Australia retained the Ashes for the first time in England after 18 years. Australia won the Edgbaston and Old Trafford Test but were denied an outright win in Leeds thanks to a blazing knock from Ben Stokes. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Australia Retain Ashes

Tim Paine's side have made remarkable strides ever since the ball-tampering scandal which saw Australian cricket making massive changes in their team culture. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Australia Retain Ashes

Australia retaining the Ashes would have overcome some of the disappointment of not having clinched their sixth World Cup campaign after they were knocked out in the semi-final by England. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Australia Retain Ashes

Much of Australia's Ashes success is owed to Steve Smith, who made a spectacular comeback and smashed records in the 2019 Ashes series. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Australia Retain Ashes

Australia's batting was propped up by Smith, who set the tone for the series with 144 and 142 in Edgbaston. He withstood a fierce spell from Jofra Archer but had to miss the Leeds Test after being hit on the side of the neck. In Old Trafford, he managed 211 and 82 and helped Australia retain the Urn. He finished with 774 runs at an average of 110 with three centuries. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Australia Retain Ashes

Australian players have a good time as their massive English summer came to an end. Australia have been in England since May and their four-month journey finally comes to an end. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Australia Retain Ashes

This was the sixth drawn Ashes series and the first in 47 years but England had a golden summer with a World Cup win and not losing a series at home. (Image credit: Getty Images)