NEW DELHI: Mitchell Starc played a pivotal role in Australia's 4–1 Ashes series victory over England, earning the Player of the Series award for his outstanding all-round performance. The left-arm pacer finished the series with 31 wickets and also scored 156 runs, including two half-centuries.

The moment proved special for his wife, Alyssa Healy, the captain of Australia's women's cricket team, when Starc was declared Player of the Series during the post-match presentation ceremony at the SCG on Thursday.

Watching the ceremony on television alongside former Australia batter Michael Hussey, Healy expressed her delight at seeing her husband receive the honour in one of cricket's most iconic rivalries.

Talking about the match, England resumed on Day 5 at 302/8, a lead of 119 runs, and were bowled out for 342, a 159-run lead with 2 1/2 sessions remaining.

The Australians started their chase quickly, scoring 10 in the first over, before Travis Head was caught in the deep for 29. The hosts lost wickets at regular intervals, but the target was not enough for England to defend as Cameron Green and Alex Carey guided Australia to a five-wicket victory.

The Australians retained the Ashes with wins in the first three Tests, but England were determined to narrow the margin after their drought-breaking win in Melbourne.

WTC Points Table: Australia strengthen grip, England sink further after Ashes disaster

"Yeah, it has been magnificent," Steve Smith, Australia's stand-in captain for four of the five tests in the absence of Pat Cummins, said of the individual contributions. "I think everyone's stood up at different times. (Starc, Head and Carey) were obviously huge standouts, but other guys stood up at different times throughout the series and, you know, that's what makes a good team."