With another England tour of Australia done and dusted and the Three Lions left to pick up the pieces following another winless trip around the country, eyes are already being cast to 2023.
England's team both on-field and off-field is set to come under serious scrutiny, and with Australia's side being made up by a number of veterans, the two teams could take a very different shape by the time Australia board their flight for the UK.
England have some veterans of their own that they need to make a decision on as well. James Anderson is 39 but was arguably England's best bowler in the three Tests he played this series, while Stuart Broad is 35 and also only featured in three of the five Test matches this summer.
Add to that the fact England toured without Jofra Archer and Ollie Stone, and the debate over what the England attack looks like in two and a half years time is a very curious case.
The opening batter for both teams is another slot that will be hotly debated. Australia opened the last Test in Hobart with David Warner and Usman Khawaja who are both 35 - not to mention Warner's horrific Ashes tour in 2019.
While Marcus Harris got better throughout the series he ultimately was dropped for the final Test.
England's openers were all at sea throughout the summer with Rory Burns being bowled with the first ball of the series and never really recovering. Haseeb Hameed battled in the first four Tests before he was put out of his misery by selectors. His last six innings of the series failed to produce a score in double figures.
Zak Crawley looked impressive in parts but is in need of a solid opening partner.
We take a look at which members of the current squads will be there for the first Test in 2023.
England Squad
Zak Crawley - Yes: Crawley showed very promising signs after coming into the team for the Boxing Day Test and managed a very good 77 at the SCG. He averaged 27.6 for the series, and with Crawley about to turn 24, you can see England persisting with the right-hander.
Haseeb Hameed - No: Hameed had a horror show of a series with the bat. The longer the series went the more like a walking wicket Hameed looked. Six innings with scores in single figures could spell the end of Hameed. 23-year-old Tom Haines is a viable replacement for the 2023 edition of The Ashes. Haines was the leading run-scorer in the County Championship with 1,176 runs at an average of 47.04
Rory Burns - No: At 31 it's hard to see England persisting with Burns and his unique technique. He looked well short of confidence when recalled for the fifth and final test and he doesn't seem like a long-term fix to England's opening woes.
Dawid Malan - No: Malan had a great start to the series and looked to be one of England's only reliable batters. However, his form dipped savagely towards the end of the tour. The 34-year-old won't be there in 2023. Jake Libby from Worcestershire could be in line for a call up if his strong county form continues.
Joe Root - Yes: Despite constant criticism and speculation over Root's captaincy, he was England's best with the bat and arguably their most dangerous spin bowler on tour. There aren't many leaders in this England squad so it's likely he will skipper the team when Australia come to visit.
Ollie Pope - Yes: Pope showed some promising signs without solidifying himself. He has the potential though and should be persisted with for the next Ashes series.
Ben Stokes - Yes: Not the all-rounders best series but he came in off very minimal preparation and battled through injury during the series. He will be there hopefully at 100% ready to go.
Jos Buttler - No: Buttler's wicketkeeping and batting left a lot to be desired across the series. He dropped numerous chances and barely contributed with the willow. His energy- or lack thereof was exposed when young keepers Pope and Sam Billings entered the team as well. Both could slot in ahead of Butler.
Jonny Bairstow - Yes: His century in Sydney was the highlight of the tour for England. He earned his place in the squad and showed his quality.
Sam Billings - Yes: Hard to judge off one Test match but he was clean behind the stumps and ok with the bat- in the first innings at least. England needs a specialist keeper in the side.
Mark Wood - Yes: Wood was brave all series as he ran in on nearly every day he was in the team. He could have had far more wickets with a bit of luck but his five-wicket haul in Hobart was a good reward.
Stuart Broad - Yes: The Ashes series in 2023 shapes as the perfect swan song for Australia's pantomime villain. Broad still has all the quality of a world-class bowler and could hold on for one more Ashes campaign.
James Anderson - No: At 39 now, it's incredibly unlikely Anderson will feature on the international stage in 2023. England has some pace stocks waiting in the wing with Joffra Archer and Ollie Stone missing this tour.
Chris Woakes - Yes: Woakes will be there. He thrives in home conditions but he may find it hard to crack into the side should Archer and Stone come through as hoped.
Craig Overton - No: Overton may be the one who is forced out but the emergence of speedsters like the above-mentioned pair.
Ollie Robinson - Yes: Robinson has clear deficiencies. His fitness and speed of delivery are clear areas he needs to improve to be a top-line Test match bowler. His lack of pace could be exposed by the likes of Archer and Stone.
Jack Leach - No: Leach was perhaps deployed in the wrong way by Root this series, but even so he was far from impressive. If England wants to compete with Australia in 2023, they need to find a more dangerous tweaker.
Mason Crane - Yes: Any leg spinner with the endorsement of Shane Warne must have something. Crane has been on the fringes for some time but by 2023 he will be hoping to have made that spinners spot his own.
Dom Bess - Yes: Bess will be in battle with Crane for that spinners spot- all things going well for England cricket. Bess has plenty of potential and is another who will want to be an established part of the team by 2023.
Australia Squad
Marcus Harris - Yes: Harris has reportedly been promised by Cricket Australia selectors that his career isn't over despite being dropped for the final Test of the series. He may be first in line for when David Warner retires.
David Warner - Yes: Perhaps at 35 it seems unlikely Warner will make the trip to the UK but it's worth remembering that he missed a fair amount of time through suspension and then Covid. He may also want to avenge his 2019 Ashes tour.
Usman Khawaja - No: A bit like Warner, the 35-year-old Khawaja may have called time by the 2023 Ashes. He has the ability to go and perform but you'd suspect the middle order may be locked up. Young openers like Will Pucovski and Bryce Street may force Khawaja's hand.
Marnus Labuschagne - Yes: He ends the series as the number one batsman in the world. He is a lock for 2023.
Steve Smith - Yes: Not his best series, by a long way. But Smith has the memory of an elephant and I suspect he will already have an eye on the 2023 series, possibly as a farewell?
Travis Head - Yes: The player of the series has just about cemented himself in Australia's middle order. He had a productive 2019 series as well so he will be one of the first names down for the flight.
Cameron Green - Yes: The 22-year-old could be absolutely anything. His series got better as it went along and he proved both a weapon with bat and ball. He will be even better by 2023 and could do plenty with the Dukes ball.
Alex Carey - No: Carey had a pretty good series, it wasn't perfect but it was by no means poor. His glovework was probably a seven out of ten and his work with the bat was okay. That's not bad but with the likes of Josh Inglis breathing down his neck he will need to lift to be a part of the 2023 campaign.
Pat Cummins - Yes: He will be there and will be calling the toss on the morning of the first Test.
Mitchell Starc - Yes: It could be argued he was Australia's best bowler this summer and while he may not play five Tests in 2023, he will be on the plane.
Nathan Lyon - Yes: While he maybe didn't spin Australia to victory in Sydney as expected, Lyon had a very good series despite not being called upon as much as he may have liked. He will go again in two and a half years time.
Josh Hazlewood - Yes: His bowling is made for UK wickets and he has thrived on tour in the past. Lock.
Scott Boland - Yes: He may not be part of the starting XI but he will be there. He has proved his ability as a Test cricketer and will be an excellent cover for the fast bowling brigade.
Jhye Richardson - Yes: His five-wicket haul in Adelaide showed he still had what it took to be a future star at Test level. He would be a massive asset in the UK.
Michael Neser - Yes: He finally got his Test debut in Adelaide and was good when called upon. Injury cut his series short but he is a great dressing room figure and very crafty bowler on English pitches. He'll be there.
