I think a drawn series is a fair result. England’s batsmen improved slightly as the series went on with Burns proving a good selection and should now get a long run opening. Denly seemed to find his feet and got better and better as series went on without making a Ton but certainly has played his part in our 2 test wins this series. Stokes was superb just seems to be getting a bit injury prone in the bowling department.
Broad, Archer and Leech did superb jobs and other bowling options did there job ok.
As for Australia smith was just world class, can’t stand the bloke really but with a bat in hand he is far and away a great of the same. Wade big or nothing and labu (however you spell his name) did very well a bit like Denly without the big score he probably deserved. Rest of Aussie batters just shocking, Paine as captain well jury well and truly out on that, as a batsmen no where near good enough at this level but keeping is tidy enough.
Cummins & Hazelwood again world class and well supported. Lyon started well but did nothing really except a few handy lower end batting partnerships.
Interesting to see the squads for both sides next series. Personally as has been said a couple of small changes for me. Bairstow dropped and either stick Butler with the gloves and play a middle order batter (pope or Northeast) or drop bairstow and Butler for Foakes and another middle order batsmen (NOT ANOTHER ALLROUNDER)
Interesting that you suggest dropping Buttler. Since his return to the team last year he's the 2nd highest run scorer(just 15 runs behind Root) with the fourth highest average(Behind Stokes, Foakes and Cook).
Sibley, Burns, Denly, Root, Stokes, Pope, Buttler(WK), Archer, Leach, Broad, Anderson or
Denly, Burns, Root, Stokes, Buttler, Pope, Foakes(WK), Archer, Leach, Broad, Anderson
Would be the teams I'd like to see for the winter, obviously relying on Anderson and Stokes being fully fit to bowl. Although it does give the team quite a long tail it's the best bowling line up we have to bowl teams out and win games of cricket. I suppose Ali might be able to squeeze in ahead of Leach if he finds some red ball form.