Want to win Ashes in England: Smith

Sydney [Australia], Jan 8 (ANI): Australian skipper Steve Smith, who on Monday won the Compton-Miller Medal for being the player of the series, said that winning the Ashes in England has now entered his "bucket-list".

"I think the more we play together, the more we're going to get better as a group. We've just got to keep getting better and improving as a team. England in 2019 is a long way away but it is a real challenge for us as well and a bucket list for mine to win an Ashes series in England", the 28-year-old told The Sydney Morning Herald.

However, Smith admitted that playing in England would require dealing with batting conditions, where the ball deviates more as compared to flat tracks at home.

"It's a tough tour, going to England, it's a great place to play and a difficult place for any team travelling. England play incredibly well at home. I don't know who would be favourites. But I now do look forward to going over there in 2019 and playing in another Ashes series", the skipper concluded.

Earlier in the day, Australia defeated England by an innings and 123 runs to seal the series 4-0.

The tourists were bowled out for 180, adding just 87 to their Day Four score of 93 for the loss of four wickets.

Moreover, Australia have taken the third place in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Team Rankings after winning the Ashes, while England slipped to the fifth position.

Australia had entered the series in the fifth position on 97 points, while England were in the third place on 105 points.

However, following a 4-0 series win, Australia have climbed to the third place on 104 points, while England have dropped to the fifth on 99 points.

Australia will now travel to South Africa where they play a four-Test series from March 1, while England's next series is against New Zealand from March 22 when they will play a two-Test series.

In their home season, England will also host Pakistan for a two-Test series and India for five Tests. (ANI)