Year Review: Australian team's performance in 2015

5. The Ashes tour to England:

Now came the real test for the Australian team- the Ashes tour. The Australians were the holders of the Ashes going into the series, having won it in 2013/14. They also looked in top notch form. However, England were prepared for the challenge and beat them 3-2 to regain the Urn. This was the first and the only defeat for them in 2015. But, it was a major one. Joe Root starred in the first Test as England went 1-0 up with an emphatic victory in the 1^st Test. In the 2^nd Test, Mitchell Johnson and Steven Smith inspired Australia to a 405-run victory.

England then went up 2-1 in the third Test with help of sterling performances from Bell, Finn and Anderson. Australia lost the Ashes glory in the fourth Test as Stuart Broad and England thrashed them at Trent Bridge. The Aussies did not surrender after losing the series as the consolidated by whipping a victory by an innings and 46 runs in the final Test and gave a perfect send-off to retiring Michael Clarke and Chris Rogers.