The 2019 Ashes series was one of the best in recent memory, and it had a bit of everything. From historic performances, iconic match-winning innings, injuries and plenty of drama in between.
In a series ultimately dominated by the seam bowlers, two individuals still stood head and shoulders above the rest with bat in hand.
The series finished in a 2-2 draw resulting in Australia retaining the Urn after their series victory in the 2017/2018 series.
Here is our combined best eleven from the series between the two arch-rivals.
1. Rory Burns (England)
In a series where openers found it extremely difficult to score, Rory Burns was able to provide England with a reliable start on most occasions. The left-hander scored the second-most runs for England behind only Ben Stokes, with 390 runs at an average of 39.00.
Burns also managed to notch up a century when he made 133 in the First Test at Edgbaston.
Burns also reached the half-century mark on another two occasions, while his strike rate for the series was 43.52.
2. Joe Denly (England)
Although he only opened in the final two tests, Joe Denly was still considerably better than other openers in the series David Warner, Jason Roy, Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris.
For the series as a whole, Denly scored the fourth-most runs for England with 312 at an average of 31.20.
Originally batting at four through the first three Tests, Denly was promoted after Jason Roy was dropped down the batting order for the Fourth Test.
Denly played a vital role in levelling the series in the Final Test where he recorded his highest score of the series, 94 off 206 deliveries to help lead England to a 135 run victory at The Oval.
3. Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)
The 2019 Ashes series was a coming-out party for Marnus Labuschagne.
Entering the series on the back of a frightening moment, when Steve Smith was struck in the head by a Jofra Archer bouncer, Labuschagne grabbed his opportunity.
In a batting lineup which was looking shaky at the time, Australia was in desperate need of a Steve Smith support act, and that is exactly what Labuschagne would become.
After entering the Second Test at Lords as the sports first-ever concussion sub, Labuschagne would go on to help Australia hold on for a draw.
Over the course of the series, Labuschagne would finish the series as Australia's second-highest run-scorer with 353 runs at an average of 50.42, with four half-centuries in his seven innings.
4. Steve Smith (Australia)
In one of the all-time great individual series, Steve Smith stormed back onto the scene at Test level for the first time since the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
Smith wasted no time getting back into the thick of it, blasting twin centuries of 144 and 142 in the First Test at Edgbaston to set the scene for what would become an incredible series.
After copping a crude blow off a Jofra Archer bouncer in the Second test, Smith would be forced to sit out the Third Test with a concussion.
When he returned for the Fourth Test, Smith belted 211 in the first innings and then backed it up with 82 in his second dig.
Overall his numbers for the series in its entirety read 774 runs at an average of 110.57, including three centuries and three half-centuries in his seven innings.
5. Ben Stokes (England)
The 2019 Ashes was the series which elevated Ben Stokes to England's crown jewel.
The All-Rounder had a terrific series with bat in hand, leading England in runs scored while he also contributed with ball in hand when required.
It's is superhuman heroics in the Third Test at Headingly which will be forever remembered by English fans, while that very same image will long be scarred into the memories of Australian fans.
Chasing 359 to keep the series alive, Stokes put on a 76 run partnership for the last wicket with Jack Leach.
In the frenzy that unfolded in the final few overs, it culminated with Ben Stokes cutting Pat Cummins for four to round out his 135* to win England the seemingly unwinnable game.
For the series, Stokes would finish as England's leading run-scorer on 441 runs at an average of 55.12 while also collecting 8 wickets at an average of 45.25.
6. Mathew Wade (Australia)
Australia's number 6 in the series, Mathew Wade was able to provide timely innings when his country required them.
Coming into the series off the back of a strong 12 months which propelled him back into the XI, Wade struck gold in the First Test where he produced a crucial 110 from 143 balls to help put Australia in a winning position.
For the series, Wade finished as Australia's third-highest run-scorer, amassing 337 runs at an average of 33.70, he also reached triple figures in the fifth and final Test where he scored 117 off 166 balls at The Oval.
7. Jonny Bairstow (England) (wk)
Much like the opening batsman in this series, both wicket-keepers struggled to get amongst the runs in any serious way.
Jonny Bairstow has been given the nod in this XI based on a marginally better batting average while also having two more dismissals across the series when compared to his counterpart Tim Paine.
For the series, Bairstow made 214 at an average of 23.77 which included a high score of 52. He also collected 22 dismissals made up of 20 catches and 2 stumpings.
8. Pat Cummins (Australia)
If there was still any lingering doubts over Pat Cummins before the 2019 Ashes, they were well and truly put to bed in this series.
Cummins had a series for the ages and was the standout bowler from the two sides. Taking 29 wickets for the series, which was the most of any bowler, Cummins did it with a staggering average of just 19.62. His economy rate was also just 2.69.
In a moment which will be forever replayed, Cummins ripped through England inside the first over late into the evening on Day 4 of the Fourth Test.
Cummins dismissed Rory Burns third ball before delivering the ball of the series to get the prized wicket and knock England captain Joe Root's castle over.
9. Jofra Archer (England)
Archer burst onto the scene when given his chance to debut during the Second Test at Lords.
The tearaway quick made an immediate impact in more ways than one. Finishing with 5 wickets for the match and delivering a brutal bouncer that would eventually rule Steve Smith out of the following test due to concussion.
For the series, Archer took 22 wickets at an average of 20.27 in his four Tests including a blistering 6/45 in the first innings of the Third Test at Headingly.
10. Nathan Lyon (Australia)
In a series dominated by seam bowlers, Nathan Lyon and Jack Leach still managed to toil away and be more than effective.
Lyon manages to hold down the front line spinner role in this XI after taking 20 wickets at an average of 33.40.
Although Lyon had his share of difficult moments during the series including the missed runout and the close LBW shout moments before Ben Stokes delivered the winning blow in the Third Test, Lyon still did enough to feature in this XI.
11. Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
The ever-reliable Josh Hazlewood put together another terrific series after being somewhat surprisingly left out of the First test at Edgebaston in favour of Peter Siddle.
Forming a lethal one-two punch with Pat Cummins, Hazlewood took 20 wickets for the series at an average of 21.85 in his four matches.
His best performance for the series came in the Third Test at Headingly where he took 5/30. Hazlewood also took the final wicket of Craig Overton in the Fourth Test to ensure Australia retained the Ashes.
