The Ashes series Player Ratings: What English Cricketers Received a 1/10 Rating?

England Player Evaluations

Crawley – One

Tipped in Australian pitches however managed only a rare Ashes pair by an English top-order batsman facing only a handful of deliveries.

Ben Duckett – 5

Got starts in both innings. The way he got out on Saturday was when it began to unravel for England.

Ollie Pope – 6

Appears improved for technical tweaks. The first Test of a series is usually his strongest, after which his form dips. The team need him to build on this.

Root – 1

Miles off that first hundred in Australia. England need the wisdom of their best player to have any chance to bounce back from this.

Brook – 5

His fifty during the initial knock was skittish, but valuable. Awful shot in the follow-on.

Stokes – 6

Returned from injury to take a five-wicket haul, but looked short of rhythm when batting. Lost control in the field in the face of Head's aggressive batting.

Smith – Four

Might possess the game to succeed in Australia, yet must to improve. Will likely face a lot of short bowling from now on.

Atkinson – 5

Involved in the strong English initial bowling effort and attempted to carry the fight with the bat later on. Part of the bowlers that fell apart during the match.

Brydon Carse – 5

Comparable to above, plus the spice of being dominated by Travis Head.

Jofra Archer – Five

Appeared awesome while bowling in the first innings and was the top among struggling teammates in the second. Could still play a key role on the series.

Mark Wood – 5

Went wicketless, yet massively impressive to just take part given his absence.

Australia Player Evaluations

Weatherald – 6

Debutant was unlucky to face against Archer in the first innings, later played his part in the sensational run chase.

Khawaja – Three

An unusual match. Did not look fully fit and spent periods off the pitch. Held on to several important catches at slip, but also seemed slow in the cordon. Earns a point for the injury which enabled Travis Head to open.

Labuschagne – 7

An effective return to the team. Handled the English pressure better than most in the first innings, then backed up Travis Head in the second.

Smith – Five

Seemed out of sorts in the first innings. Needless before the game attack about Panesar.

Travis Head – 9

Possibly unfair not to get the full 10, but he played a rather poor shot initially. His follow-on century proved to be an historic innings.

Cameron Green – Five

Took the crucial dismissal of Ollie Pope early. Shaken by one Wood short ball when he batted. Barely required later in the match.

Alex Carey – 5

Tried an aggressive response against the English attack on the first evening. Tidy with the gloves.

Starc – 9

Carried the burden of the attack in the absence of Pat Cummins and Hazlewood achieving the first Aussie Ashes 10-wicket haul in 20 years.

Boland – 6

Short of top form initially. Improved later to trigger the English collapse.

Brendan Doggett – 6

Solid first appearance. Quite capable stand-in for the main bowlers and others.

Nathan Lyon – Two

Almost a spectator during a game controlled by pace. Maybe picked up a knock after being hit by Mark Wood.

Related Subjects

• England National Team
• Australian Team
• The Ashes
• The Sport

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