Team of the Ashes (so far): No.3 batsman

VOTE: Best opener of the 2015 Ashes

AUSTRALIA

Steve Smith: 365 runs at 45.62. HS 215

Coming into the series as the world's No.1 ranked Test batsman, Smith continued his incredible form with scores of 215 and 58 at Lord's to guide Australia to a thumping victory that levelled the series.

However, apart from that sensational Test, it's been a disappointing series for Australia's Test captain-in-waiting.

The right-hander scored a combined 92 runs from six innings in Cardiff, Birmingham and Nottingham and was caught behind the wicket off the quicks five times out of six.

England paceman Stuart Broad and retired spinner Graeme Swann stated pre-series that Smith's unique technique could come undone in English conditions and apart from the brilliant performance at Lord's, that prediction has come to fruition.

The right-hander will be looking to rediscover his touch at The Oval, the venue of his maiden Test century two years ago.

ENGLAND

Gary Ballance: 98 runs at 24.50. HS 61

Having started the series with a hard-fought half-century in Cardiff, Ballance's back-foot technique came unstuck against Australia's pacemen and he was dropped from the side after England's heavy defeat at Lord's.

The left-hander posted scores of 0, 23 and 14 following the 61 he scored on the opening day of the series and he eventually made way for Yorkshire teammate Jonny Bairstow ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.

After a dream start to his Test career that included two centuries against India and one each against Sri Lanka and West Indies, the honeymoon period for Ballance came to a sudden halt this northern summer.

Also left wanting against New Zealand's seamers during their two-Test series in May, the Zimbabwean-born batsman has averaged 16.75 from four Tests this season.

Ian Bell: 119 runs at 59.50. HS 65 not out

One of the selection gambles of the series came off for England when they promoted an out-of-sorts Ian Bell to No.3 in the order at a time when some pundits were calling for him to be dropped.

The batting star of England's Ashes victory two years ago, Bell came into the series with an average of just 6.88 from eight innings since he scored his 22nd Test hundred against the West Indies in April.

After scoring just 1 on the first day in Cardiff - his sixth single-figure score in five Tests - he regained some form with an innings of 60 in the second innings but his spot in the side was under scrutiny following scores of 1 and 11 in England's heavy defeat at Lord's.

But instead of axing one of England's all-time leading run-scorers, selectors made the bold call to promote him in the order for the third Test on his home ground and the Bell repaid the faith.

The stylish right-hander posted twin half-centuries at Edgbaston in a low-scoring match to hand England a series lead they took full advantage of in Nottingham.