Cricket Ashes 2019: Steve Smith 'cooked' after heroics Australia star Steve Smith said he was exhausted after starring in the Ashes series against England. Dejan Kalinic 16 September, 2019 11:29 IST Dejan Kalinic 16 September, 2019 11:29 IST Steve Smith admitted he was "cooked" after helping Australia retain the Ashes with a 2-2 series draw against England.Smith made his lowest score of the series – 23 – as the tourist slumped to a 135-run defeat in the fifth Test at The Oval on Sunday.It gave England a 2-2 series draw, but that result was enough for Australia to retain the urn, with Smith awarded the Compton-Miller Medal as player of the series.Smith, who made 774 runs at an average of 110.57 during the series, said he was exhausted."I guess it was a nice reception as I walked off. It would have been nice if I had a few more runs under my belt in this game as I walked off. It was a nice reception," he told a news conference."I've given it my all since I've been here, the last four and a half months and every Test match that we've played.READ | Ashes 2019: Will try to get better as long as I play, says Steve Smith"I didn't have much left to give today, I'm pretty cooked to be honest, mentally and physically."I'm looking forward to a nice couple of weeks rest now before getting back into the Australian summer."Smith carried Australia throughout the series despite missing the third Test due to concussion.Australia captain Tim Paine said there was plenty of room for improvement from his team, acknowledging Smith's heroics."We've still got a way to go, Steve had an unbelievably good series and won us a couple of Tests by himself," he said."We've got some parts we need to improve but I think if we can click them into gear while we've got Steve at the height of his powers and the pace attack we've got then in the next few years we're going to be a very difficult team to beat." Anderson feeling ageless after six-wicket haul for England Tim Paine unsure of Australia captaincy for the Ashes Jack Leach backs 'confident' Dan Lawrence to succeed 2020 year in sport: Champions who stayed champions in a difficult year More Videos WATCH: Best sports quotes of 2020 Remembering sportspersons who passed away in 2020 Smith, Labuschagne must figure out Indian bowling tactics: Andrew McDonald NZ vs PAK first Test day 5 highlights: Black Caps see off Pakistan to claim victory in final session South Africa vs Sri Lanka, first Test, Day One - highlights New Zealand vs Pakistan, first Test Day One - highlights Langer says Australia will be unchanged for Boxing Day Test How to get Kane Williamson out