The 2019 Ashes series will be remembered for Steve Smith’s incredible run scoring exploits.
Booed relentlessly throughout the English summer, Smith peeled off an astonishing 774 runs at an average of 110.57 – the fifth highest tally in Ashes history.
The former Australian captain’s first innings masterpiece of 144 at Edgbaston was a sign of things to come as records tumbled throughout the five-Test series.
Newscorp journalist Robert Craddock thinks Smith’s numbers may not be replicated anytime soon.
“This series was magnificent for cricket,” Craddock told SEN’s Whateley.
“Even just looking beyond his (Steve Smith’s) figure of 774, to think he missed a Test and one innings and was still 333 runs ahead of the next highest run scorer Ben Stokes – that may never happen again in our lifetime.”
Smith is looking forward to a well-earned rest ahead of the Australian summer.
"It was a nice reception when I walked off, would have been nice to have a few more runs under my belt," Smith told reporters.
"I have given it my all while I have been here for the last four-and-a-half months but I didn't have much more to give today.
"I was pretty cooked mentally and physically and I am looking forward to a couple of weeks off and heading back for the Australian summer."
Smith's was deservedly named Australia's player of the series having scored three hundreds including one double century - 211 in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
Australia retained the Ashes despite going down by 135 runs in the fifth Test at The Oval.
Listen to Robert Craddock’s chat on SEN’s Whateley in the player below