Alastair Cook has insisted that England's heavy defeat in the fifth and final Ashes Test will not lessen his side's achievements.
Australia claimed victory by an innings and 46 runs at The Oval this afternoon with a day to spare.
Despite the setback, Cook was quick to hail England's overall series win against the Aussies, singling out Joe Root for particular praise while also claiming that there is still far more to come.
"The last four days haven't quite gone to plan and we're disappointed, but going into the series no-one gave us a chance, so we can't let that take the gloss off a special summer," he told BBC Sport. "It has been a topsy-turvy series. There has been a little bit missing in this match, it wasn't complacency, but emotionally to come from such a high at Trent Bridge and be 100% on it was hard and we couldn't quite manage it.
"Joe Root has been outstanding and led our batting, he has been our leading light and he thoroughly deserves to win man of the series. Australia will be sitting there not quite believing that they've lost the series after playing as well as they did here.
"Are we near the peak? No we're not, we're nowhere near the finished article, but we've got a very exciting team and I genuinely believe there will be some really good times. Sport tests you in so many ways, but hearing the crowd now sends tingles down your spine."
England face off against Australia later this month in a T20 clash at the Swalec Stadium before the start of the one-day series.
Daniel Lewis
