ENGLAND bowler Chris Tremlett admitted he could never have predicted he would take the final wicket of England's victorious Ashes tour Down Under.

The Surrey man hadn't played Test cricket for three years before his call-up for this tour, but became a key player after Stuart Broad was ruled out through injury after the second match in Adelaide.

After impressing in defeat at Perth, he was a key contributor in the win at Melbourne to retain the Ashes and took the final wicket of Michael Beer to secure a 3-1 series win.

"It's unbelievable," he told said. "It's great to get an opportunity and be here. It's an amazing feeling and I couldn't imagine this would happen.

"It was great to get an opportunity and be here. It's an amazing feeling and I couldn't imagine this would happen.

"We gave ourselves a chance to finish it yesterday, but didn't, so we turned up today and bowled in the right areas.

"I tried to bowl straight. Luckily he (Beer) dragged on and to take the last wicket is brilliant."

James Anderson, who finished the series as the leading wicket taker, added: "It's a great day and it's been a great tour. It's an amazing feeling for us.

"I've been delighted with my form this tour. I enjoy my role leading the attack but my job has been made easier by the guys at the other end.

"Tremlett has been amazing, so has Swann and (Tim) Bresnan, not forgetting Broad and (Steven) Finn."

Paul Collingwood, whose Test career is now over having announced his retirement, admitted it was the best day of his career.

"Absolutely," he said. "The absolute number one. I can't think of a better way to bow out of Test cricket. There are some great guys in that dressing room and this feels very special.

"I've got great memories and this is a very special day. When you're enjoying cricket with a lot of great lads you are going to miss it. But you've got to move on and this team will go on to bigger and better things.

"To bow out in front of so many English fans, having won the Ashes in Australia, it couldn't get any better."

England batsman Alastair Cook was named as the man of the match and of the series for his astonishing 766-run haul.

"It's amazing," he said. "To be there when Chris Tremlett took the final wicket will live long in the memory. I want to thank everyone, it's been a great trip.

"I've put in a lot of hard work and have got more experience and got a little bit better. I couldn't imagine how these seven weeks would go.

"My best innings was the 200 at Brisbane. I've never got a first class 200 or a Test 200 and to win man of the match in the final game of the Ashes is a dream come true.

"Our bowlers have been fantastic and have put some real pressure on the Australian batsmen."