Well... I think the English team from '09 and '05 were far better and they'd not hold a candle to the touring side of the 10-11 tour, even allowing for the same players. Root had a day of glory but has done little outside that 180, and he was dropped early. Trott and Cooke are found wanting match after match. Pieteresn has held his end up just enough to avoid criticism. Bell will be the man of the series. Bairstow is so-so. Prior holds a bat as though it were something he's been handed for the first time in his life. Then we're into the bowlers. In short our batting line up is not firing.
Our bowlers are OK, given the talent we have that will not get a game; Tremlett, Onions and Finn would open for their countries of they were anywhere but England or South Africa.
England have made the mistake before of thinking they're the poo when overcoming once (and surely set to be again) great nations in a moment of their opponent's relative weakness, only to be humiliated by South Africa last year. Right now England might move into second place in the rankings (moving above India - Justifiable after last year) if they nail Australia again at the Oval, but my head tells me something my heart doesn't want to hear: The overall quality of Test Cricket has declined. This Aussie side is struggling. England are a poor shower to be taking second place.
There's pleasure in winning an Ashes series, but this was a relatively poor England side beating the weakest Australians I've seen.
I listened to the women's game on TMS all day. Shame they only went four days, yielding a draw. Could have been interesting.