The 2015 Ashes came to an end Sunday at the Kia Oval in London, with Australia rallying from an innings defeat at Trent Bridge to hand England one themselves to close the series. With an unpredictable summer throughout the country, it seems rather appropriate that the 2015 series finishes 3-2, with many twists and turns for both teams throughout the last two months.

For England, it was mission accomplished in Nottingham, meaning the Oval Test was, on paper, a chance to get unproven players some experience. England opted to send their “A” team, wanting to close the series in style and finish with a 4-1 win. It was a perfect occasion for a player like Adam Lyth to have a solid performance, but the opener, who had largely struggled throughout the summer, disappointed again. It appears both his and Gary Ballance’s futures in the five-day format are in serious jeopardy. England’s bowling also had a rough go in London, after making it seem like they didn’t miss James Anderson in Nottingham. As it turns out, they do, and he’ll be a welcome return to the team when they face Pakistan in the UAE.

For Australia, it gives Michael Clarke a chance to say he won the final Test match of his career, on the road against an archrival. It’s been a whirlwind for the veteran; he experienced the thrills of leading his country to the 5-0 whitewash of 2013/14. It was his obligation as captain to be the public face of a recovery process, guiding a team and its fan base through the Phillip Hughes tragedy. Although he didn’t play as massive a role in the Final as many expected, it’s he who can say he captained a Cricket World Cup-winning Australian team on home soil. And with heir-apparent Steve Smith in the form of his life right now, it appears this series may turn out to be a small blip on the country’s rise back to the top of the Test rankings.

Now fans wait patiently for the next Ashes series Down Under, where they hope that at least one Test will go at least five days, with a result in doubt until late on. Both teams now gear up for the lone T20I and five ODIs of the tour, with chances for new faces to make impressions for their national sides in the shorter formats. There is a sense of serious anticipation as both teams continue their quest to eclipse South Africa as best Test team in the world.