'Top class' Travis Head Hundred Puts Australia Sailing To Win Against the English
English Team Individual Ratings
Crawley – One
Tipped for Australian pitches but managed just the fourth Ashes pair from an England opener in just 11 balls.
Ben Duckett – Five
Got starts during each knock. The way he got out on Saturday marked the point when things started to fall apart for the English side.
Ollie Pope – 6
Seems improved due to adjustments to his technique. The first Test of a series is usually his best, after which his form dips. The team require him to kick on.
Root – One
Miles away from that first hundred on Australian soil. The side need the wisdom from their star performer if they are to bounce back from this.
Brook – Five
His half-century in the first innings was lively, but valuable. Poor shot in the follow-on.
Ben Stokes – Six
Returned from injury to take a five-wicket haul, though appeared out of touch when batting. Lost control while fielding against Head's aggressive batting.
Jamie Smith – 4
Might possess the game to succeed in Australia, yet must to smarten up. Can expect plenty of short bowling from now on.
Atkinson – 5
Involved in the strong England first-innings bowling performance and tried to carry the fight while batting in the second innings. Part of the bowlers that fell apart on Saturday evening.
Brydon Carse – Five
Similar to above, with added spice of getting dominated by Travis Head.
Archer – 5
Looked impressive while bowling initially and was the top among struggling teammates in the second. Might yet play a key role on the series.
Wood – Five
Went wicketless, yet extremely commendable to even take part considering his time away.
Australian Team Individual Ratings
Jake Weatherald – 6
Debutant was unlucky to face to Jofra Archer in the first innings, then contributed in the stunning run chase.
Usman Khawaja – 3
A bizarre Test. Did not look fit and spent time off the field. Held on to several important catches in the slips, but also looked slow in the field. Earns a point for the injury which enabled Head to open.
Labuschagne – 7
A successful return to the team. Handled the English bowling pressure more effectively than others in the first innings, and supported Head in the second.
Smith – Five
Seemed off form in the first innings. Unnecessary pre-match attack about Panesar.
Head – Nine
Possibly unfair not to award a perfect score, but he played a pretty poor stroke in the first innings. His second-innings hundred was an all-time great performance.
Cameron Green – 5
Took the key wicket of Pope early. Rattled by one Wood bouncer during his innings. Hardly needed in the second half.
Carey – 5
Attempted a counter-attack against the English attack early in the match. Tidy behind the stumps.
Mitchell Starc – Nine
Carried the weight of the bowling in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood achieving the first Australian Ashes series 10-wicket haul for two decades.
Scott Boland – Six
Short of his best in the first innings. Improved later to trigger the English batting collapse.
Doggett – 6
Steady first appearance. More than capable replacement for Cummins and Hazlewood.
Lyon – Two
Virtually a spectator in a match controlled by fast bowling. Maybe suffered an injury when struck by Mark Wood.
Related Topics
- England Men's Cricket Team
- Australia
- The Ashes
- Cricket
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