The pain of last winter`s Ashes mauling by England is helping to usher in a new era for Australian cricket, according to Test captain Michael Clarke.

The Baggy Green wrapped up a 4-0 series win over India, just a year on from their humiliating 3-1 defeat to England on home soil.

A lot of changes have occurred since then, with a new coach, selection team and captain in place, with Clarke replacing Ricky Ponting at the helm.

The statistics from this series would suggest the alterations have been positive too, with Clarke, who scored 626 runs in the series, spearheading a new dawn.

Quick bowlers James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle have formed a fearsome unit - although Pattinson has been injured for some of this series - and David Warner has finally emerged as the dashing opener many expected him to be.

A rejuvenated Ponting has also rediscovered his touch after a barren two years, hitting a century and a double century in his last two Tests.

And Clarke is in no doubt as to what started the upturn in fortunes.

"I think it (the Ashes) has played a part," Clarke said.

"It certainly has for me personally. I think individual players who were a part of last summer remember it.

"We said and knew we had to do a lot of work to improve our games, both personally and as a team.

"It's obviously a very special feeling to sit here beating India 4-0, knowing that last summer I couldn't buy a run. It's a great feeling.

"I hate to say it but throughout your career you need to go through the tough times individually and as a team to realise how hard Test cricket is and how special it is when you have days like today and a series like this."

Other chastening losses have occurred since, such as being railroaded for 47 by South Africa after holding a 188-run lead, and then surrendering to New Zealand having bowled them out for 150.

"The loss in South Africa and the loss against New Zealand is something that every player in that change room has had in the front of their mind," Clarke added.

"That's probably been a bit of an inspiration to make sure when we feel like things are going well, to keep pushing forward; to make the most of the momentum that we've been able to have.

"Consistency is an area we've had to work on as a team.

"To be able to keep backing up throughout this series and win all four Test matches shows we're improving in that area."