'We've got some strong characters' – Tim Paine

Australia were under a lot of pressure heading into the series, following a chastening series loss to India – the first ever at home – and having won just one Test out of seven since March last year, when the ball-tampering incident derailed the side.

However, the 366-run win meant Australia claimed the series with utter ease, and Paine said it would act as foundation for bigger things in the future. "We spoke at the start of the summer about our main priority, (which) was to win back the respect of the Australian public and our cricket fans," he said. "Sitting here now, we’ve gone a long way toward doing that.

"It's in difficult times, you see the characters you’ve got in your group. It's confirmed to us we’ve got some good characters, some strong characters, and some people (with whom) we can build a really strong Australian cricket future on."

Australia don't play Tests for six months now as preparations for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 assume precedence. However, when they next don the Test whites, it'll be at the grandest stage – the Ashes, in England.

Australia haven't won an away Ashes series since Steve Waugh led them to a famous triumph in 2001. But Paine feels things could be different this time, especially with David Warner and Steve Smith set to return by then – their suspensions end in March.

"I see us going to the Ashes and them having a huge part in us winning the series," said Paine. "That's how I see how important they are to this team. We know how good they are. Hopefully, once their bans are up, they'll be welcomed back and they'll win Test matches like they did beforehand."

Another weapon in Australia's arsenal this time will be fast bowler Pat Cummins, who has been exemplary. Across the six home Tests against India and Sri Lanka, Cummins picked up 28 wickets at 17.78 apiece. Paine feels the 25-year-old is one of the very best in the world right now.

"He's got to be pretty close to (the best), isn't he?," said Paine. "The difference with Pat and (other top-ranked bowlers) is he doesn't take the new ball. So he bowls at times when the ball's not doing as much and the wicket's a bit flatter.

"His ability to get it done in all conditions – whether it's moving around or not – is second to none. I felt as the summer went on he actually got better and better, and the more he bowled, it felt like the quicker and more accurately he was bowling."