Nasser Hussain believes England still need to step up several gears despite their big victory over Australia in the fifth Test.

The England captain stressed after the match that he did not want the win in Sydney to mask the longer-term problems that blighted his side's overall display Down Under.

"It is a great result but we must not hide from the work we need to put in," he said.

"It still does not hide the cracks. At some stage the fix has got to begin."

We've really got to look at ourselves and do something if we're going to beat Australia on a regular basis Nasser Hussain

England tour ratings

The result meant the tourists avoided a 5-0 whitewash, but Hussain admitted he would dearly have loved the series to be closer.

"We can keep plodding along and we'll beat some other sides. But we have to play Australia every couple of years.

"This game there was a bit of something in the pitch but the moment the ball stops swinging we're a different team.

"We've really got to look at ourselves and do something if we're going to beat Australia on a regular basis," he continued.

Vaughan awards

The win in Sydney did at least give the Barmy Army something to cheer at the end of a long, expensive tour round Australia's Test grounds.

They will also be able to remember a superb innings of 183 by Michael Vaughan over the weekend.

The Yorkshireman set up the victory and earned himself both the man of the match and player of the series awards.

Hussain said of Vaughan: "His innings on a deteriorating pitch will stand out for years to come. He's taken himself to another level."

And the opener himself added: "I know we've lost 4-1 but I'm delighted for the supporters who have followed us through thick and thin."

Meanwhile, Steve Waugh, who hit a memorable century on the second day, refused to give journalists any hint about his future.

The Australian captain said: "We would have liked 5-0, but we always realised it was a tough assignment. England have got a pretty good side."