By Martin Gough

Less than two years after experiencing the highs of their first Ashes series victory for 18 years, England were plumbing the depths of their first Ashes whitewash since 1921.

Australia celebrated reclaiming the Ashes in empahtic fashion

Thousands of England fans made the trip down under to watch a series they hoped would rival 2005's "greatest of all time" but there were few highlights for the tourists to remember.

Australia, however, put on a display of brutal force and provided a fitting send-off for retiring stars Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer.

It started badly and got worse for England, who went into the series after a packed summer, with key players injured and others only just recovering.

Of the triumphant 2005 side, captain Michael Vaughan and bowler Simon Jones took no part after missing the entire year through injuries.

No sooner had they arrived in Australia than opening bat Marcus Trescothick departed, victim of a recurrence of a stress-related illness that he thought he had conquered.

Harmison set the tone for the series with his opening wide

Meanwhile Andrew Flintoff, the stand-in skipper, and spinner Ashley Giles were only just returning to fitness after missing much of the summer.

They had only two weeks between their arrival in Australia and the first Test in Brisbane.

And the those weeks were filled with debate over the decision to pick Giles over folk hero Monty Panesar and wicket-keeper Geraint Jones over Chris Read.

The first day of the 2005 series set the tone, and the first day of the return match did similarly, with disastrous consequences for England as Steve Harmison's first ball sailed wide to second slip.

That single delivery proved right those who claimed the tourists were "undercooked" and left those who has stayed up after midnight in England to contemplate a woe-filled winter.

Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting hit 196 in the first innings and McGrath proved wrong those who claimed he was past his best, helping to bowl England out for a miserable 157, from which they were unable to recover.

It seems incredible in hindsight but England could have dragged the series back in the balance but for a desperate few hours on the final day in Adelaide.

No team in history has lost after declaring on a higher total batting first in a Test than their 551-6.

Flintoff's agony in Adelaide was a defining image

As Paul Collingwood became just the third England batsman to score a double century in Australia, the home side began to look tired and ragged.

It was England's best chance and they blew it spectacularly.

Batting on the final day, with a draw almost certain and victory a slim possibility, they lost nine wickets for 60 in 43 overs, with Warne and Brett Lee intimidating them mercilessly.

Flintoff bowled through the agony of a recurring ankle problem and photos his tear-stained grimace as Australia rattled to a small target defined the series just as his wild celebrations were synonymous with the previous one.

From there, Australia just got stronger and stronger, literally so as the out-of-form Damien Martyn announced his shock retirement and the burly Andrew Symonds was drafted in.

Adam Gilchrist scored the second fastest Test century in history in Perth to rip the series from England's grasp, and they handed back the Ashes urn after holding it for just 463 days.

Langer, McGrath and Warne received a fitting send-off

The Boxing Day Test in Melbourne will be remembered for Warne's 700th wicket, on his home ground, shortly after he had confirmed his retirement plans.

England lost in three days as if embarrassed to be on the same playing surface.

New South Welshman McGrath bade farewell as part of the New Year celebrations at the Sydney Cricket Ground, taking the last England wicket of the series.

"I don't think we've ever played as well team-wise as we have in this series," said the veteran, and few were in a position to argue.

For England, the inquest began, with the setting up of a committee to work out how they could regain the Ashes in 2009. It all seemed like a long way off.