Australia have grown in stature this series, but their ability to win the big moments is still untested heading into the return Ashes starting in November.
The tourists have shown over the past two months that England are vulnerable, yet the scoreboard still reads 3-0.
The record books also make for dire reading.
England have won three series in a row for the first time since 1956 and this is Australia’s worst venture to the UK since 1977.
The fifth Test appeared to be heading towards a draw on the final day, with England 7-350 at lunch.
Australia bowled well to take three wickets but England passed the follow-on mark and trail on the first innings by 142 runs.
Like Old Trafford, this is another match Australia might have won if not for bad weather.
James Faulkner (1-40) claimed his first Test wicket and in the process prevented man of the series Ian Bell from joining Sir Donald Bradman for the most hundreds in an Ashes series.
Bell was out for 45, but the damage had already been done – the classy right-hander has scored a hundred in each of England’s Test wins this series.
Ryan Harris (2-64) dismissed Chris Woakes early in the day to put himself in outright second place on the wicket-taking list for the series.
Then seven overs later debutant Faulkner strangled Bell down the leg-side for his first scalp in Test cricket.
Mitchell Starc (3-92) took his third for the innings when he annihilated Stuart Broad’s middle stump to leave England 7-315.
England decided to throw the bat on the final day, a curious development for a team who denied their excruciatingly slow batting on day three was to bring about a draw, and said it was actually because the pitch was too slow.
The home side scored 103 runs in the first session, with Matt Prior (35 not out) and Graeme Swann (24no from 11 balls) putting on an unbeaten stand of 35 off just 17 balls.
Bell comfortably topped the run-scoring list for the series, the only batsman to score 500.
However, the next four batters on the list Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers and Steve Smith prove Australia’s batting is on the improve.
The problem is under pressure, crippling collapses are still occurring.
Australia’s bowling has been the backbone this series, with Harris leading the way as the second highest wicket-taker behind Swann.