By Justin Langer Australia Test batsman

It felt like a fairytale - Glenn McGrath took the last wicket and I was there at the end with my long-time opening partner Matty Hayden as we walked off knowing we had just beaten England 5-0.

After the job was completed I stood and embraced my opening partner and best mate and choked back the tears

It was quite a surreal feeling when Matt hit the winning runs, and the aftermath of such an achievement was unbelievable.

From the moment Kevin Pietersen was out in the first over of play until the moment I went to bed last night, it was as if I was in a dream.

England's tail again crumbled to the suffocating pressure of our bowlers and our fielding was as sharp as I have ever seen it. Right until the end we showed just how much this series has meant to us.

I was overawed by England's gesture of forming a guard of honour for me to walk through at the start of my last Test innings. There can be no greater sign of respect, and for that I am eternally grateful.

As I walked through I smiled at Freddie Flintoff and asked him if he would mind bowling me a few half volleys. With that he just smiled and told me the guard of honour was the only luxury I should expect for the rest of the day.

He meant what he said because Steve Harmison bowled like the wind for an hour, cracking my rib and bruising my hand in the process - a reminder of the tough and torrid times I have endured as an opening batsman.

My big mate from Durham bowled as fast and aggressively as he had all series. In many ways 'Harmy' is a bit of an enigma, but when he finds his rhythm he is without doubt one of the most uncomfortable bowlers in the world to face.

With seven runs to get I winked at Matty and said: "A six and a one would be the perfect ending, buddy."

I was feeling a bit emotional but he smiled and then hit Sajid Mahmood for a massive six, before caressing the winning run through the covers.

A couple of seconds after the job was completed, I stood and embraced my opening partner and best mate, and choked back the tears. Right at that moment it struck me I would never bat with him again, and for this I felt sad.

JL bids farewell to the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground

Fortunately, the enormity of the moment meant my sadness was quickly replaced by jubilation, and for the next three quarters of an hour we sucked in the triumphant atmosphere.

Straight after the win, our changing room was filled with family, friends and supporters, including our Prime Minister, John Howard. The England team also came in and stayed until about 7.00pm.

Despite their humiliating loss, it was great to have a final beer with the England boys. I am sure, if they use this disappointment to their advantage, they will be a stronger team for the experience.

On returning to the team hotel we then were invited onto the boat of James Packer where we sang the team song at about midnight and reflected on what has been five of the best weeks of our lives.

It has been suggested that England were poor this summer, but in my view we were so committed to this series that even with every one of their injured players available we would have won this series.

It was our goal at the start of the series to make the gap between us and England as big as possible, and this ambition has been achieved.

The next challenge for Australia is to maintain the incredibly high standard that has been set since we lost the Ashes in 2005.

Having won 16 of our last 17 Test matches, this will be tough, but with the leadership of Ricky Ponting and the emergence of players like Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Stuart Clark and Andrew Symonds then the future looks bright.

Obviously the retirements of four of the team's core players will have some impact, but I feel confident our system will continue providing players of class and distinction.

Names like Watson, Jacques, Rogers, Tait, Johnson, Cullen, Hauritz and Bailey provide an exciting transition and I'm looking forward to seeing who will emerge as Australia's next superstar.

JL