Alex Carey wasn't on the field, but he has been watching closely over the last month as Australia's ODI team fell to new lows.
Carey has since made a conscious decision to become "the best player of spin".
Carey always keeps an open-eye and has been praised on his toughness, leadership and natural talent in the past.
It's for those reasons that he was named Vice-Captain at age 26 after playing just three ODIs and five T20 internationals.
As a backup for Tim Paine, Carey had more than enough time to observe his side on the last tour of the UK.
"Sitting on the sidelines was tough watching the boys," Carey told cricket.com.au.
"Playing the last few games was a great experience for me, playing in England, a one-day series against the best side in the world.
"I personally took a lot out of it sitting back watching the best side in the world go about their business, and how much work we've all got to do to lift our game."
After observing all the ups and downs and changes his team had gone through - staff-wise as well as changes to the game plan - Carey was able to see what he could best add to his game in order to help his team. He wanted to be what the team needed most.
"I want to be the best player of spin," Carey declared.
"We've seen through those middle overs we need to be better.
"It doesn't have to be scoring boundaries every ball but at least manipulating the field, being a bit more busy, and getting on top of the spin.
"I've been speaking to 'Punter' (Ponting) about whatever it is that comes up. There's so much I've spoken to him about and (I'm) just trying to take what works for me as well.
"Just taking bits from all these guys (Langer, Ponting, Gilchrist) and trying to put it into my game, without trying to complicate it as well."
Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer have been working with Carey and teaching him the ropes. It's a lot to go through, but with such quality teachers, good things may be in the future.
"It's more the off-field stuff and just coming into a game with a pretty clear mind of 'What's going to be best for the team to win a game?'" Carey said of his chats with Gilchrist.
"The best part about 'Gilly' is he kept it pretty simple when he played and he's doing the same with the messages he's giving us.
"If there's anything it's just little bits and pieces but it's pretty much 'what's best for our team to win?' and going into games with that mentality.
"It keeps everything else pretty simple."
