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

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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.

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