The Ashes series Individual Performance Scores: Which England Players Earned a 1/10 Grade?

English Team Individual Ratings

Zak Crawley – 1

Expected for Aussie conditions however managed only the fourth duck in both innings by an English opener in just a handful of deliveries.

Duckett – Five

Made starts in both innings. His dismissal on Saturday marked the point when things started to unravel for England.

Pope – 6

Seems improved for technical tweaks. The first Test in the series tends to be his strongest, after which his form dips. England require him to kick on.

Joe Root – 1

Far off his maiden century on Australian soil. The side need the nous of their best player to have any chance to come back from this.

Brook – Five

His half-century during the initial knock was lively, yet important. Awful choice in the follow-on.

Stokes – Six

Came back from injury with a five-for, though appeared short of rhythm when batting. Struggled in the field against Head's assault.

Jamie Smith – 4

Could have the skills for Australia, but needs to improve. Will likely face plenty of short bowling going forward.

Atkinson – 5

Part of the strong English initial bowling effort and tried to contribute with the bat in the second innings. Part of the bowlers that fell apart during the match.

Brydon Carse – 5

Similar to above, with added spice of getting taken apart by Head.

Archer – Five

Looked awesome while bowling in the first innings and was the top among struggling teammates later. Might yet play a key role on the series.

Mark Wood – 5

Finished without a wicket, but extremely commendable to just get on the field given his time away.

Australia Individual Evaluations

Jake Weatherald – Six

First-timer was unlucky to face to Jofra Archer early on, then contributed in the stunning pursuit of runs.

Usman Khawaja – 3

A bizarre Test. Did not look fully fit and spent periods off the pitch. Held on to several key catches in the slips, yet also seemed immobile in the cordon. Earns a point for the injury which enabled Travis Head to bat as opener.

Labuschagne – Seven

A successful return to the team. Absorbed the English pressure better than most in the first innings, and backed up Travis Head in the second.

Steve Smith – Five

Seemed off form in the first innings. Unnecessary pre-match comments on Monty Panesar.

Travis Head – 9

Perhaps churlish to not award a perfect score, but he attempted a pretty poor stroke in the first innings. His second-innings hundred was an historic innings.

Cameron Green – 5

Took the key dismissal of Pope in the first innings. Rattled by a Wood bouncer when he batted. Hardly needed later in the match.

Alex Carey – Five

Tried an aggressive response against the English attack on the first evening. Neat behind the stumps.

Mitchell Starc – 9

Shouldered the burden of the bowling without Pat Cummins and Hazlewood with the first Australian Ashes series 10-wicket haul for two decades.

Scott Boland – 6

Below his best initially. Got better later to spark the English collapse.

Brendan Doggett – Six

Solid debut. More than able stand-in for Cummins and Hazlewood.

Lyon – Two

Virtually an onlooker in a match controlled by pace. Maybe picked up a knock when struck by Wood.

Connected Subjects

• English National Team
• Australia
• The Ashes
• Cricket

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