England's Ashes tour unravelled first in the bar and then on the pitch. By the time Joe Root's men returned to Perth, scene of Jonny Bairstow's curious headbutt greeting on first meeting with Cameron Bancroft, they had left themselves zero wriggle-room in defence of the urn. So much of this winter's off-the-field troubles were avoidable but received extra attention only because of the moment back in September which, as belatedly acknowledged by Root and his captaincy predecessor Alastair Cook, 'changed the world for English cricket'. Ben Stokes' absence on tour, as he waits still to hear whether he will be charged with causing actual bodily harm outside a Bristol nightclub, has undoubtedly been a key factor behind England's series defeat.

All 11 Australians are captured in one frame after Pat Cummins claimed the final wicket of England's Chris Woakes during Day Five of the third Test at the WACA ground in Perth yesterday. PIC/Getty Images