The Ashes series Individual Ratings: What English Cricketers Earned the Lowest Grade?

English Team Individual Ratings

Crawley – One

Expected for Australian conditions however managed only a rare duck in both innings by an England top-order batsman in just 11 balls.

Ben Duckett – Five

Made starts during each knock. His dismissal on Saturday marked the point when it began to fall apart for England.

Ollie Pope – 6

Appears improved for adjustments to his technique. The first Test in the series tends to be his strongest, then it goes downhill. The team need him to build on this.

Joe Root – One

Far away from his maiden century in Australia. England need the nous of their best player to have any chance to come back from this defeat.

Brook – 5

His fifty in the first innings was lively, yet important. Awful choice in the follow-on.

Stokes – 6

Came back after being injured with a five-wicket haul, but appeared out of touch when batting. Lost control in the field in the face of Head's assault.

Smith – 4

Might possess the skills for Australia, but needs to smarten up. Can expect a lot of bouncers from now on.

Gus Atkinson – Five

Involved in the strong England initial bowling performance and tried to carry the fight with the bat in the second innings. Part of the bowlers that collapsed on Saturday evening.

Brydon Carse – 5

Comparable to above, with added mustard of getting taken apart by Head.

Jofra Archer – 5

Appeared impressive with the ball initially and proved the top of a bad bunch in the second. Might yet play a key role on the series.

Wood – 5

Went wicketless, but extremely impressive to just take part considering his absence.

Australia Individual Evaluations

Weatherald – Six

First-timer had tough luck to face to Jofra Archer in the first innings, later contributed in the sensational run chase.

Khawaja – Three

An unusual match. Did not look fit and had time off the field. Took a couple of key catches at slip, yet also seemed slow in the field. Earns a point for the injury which enabled Head to open.

Marnus Labuschagne – Seven

A successful comeback to the team. Absorbed the English pressure better than most initially, and backed up Travis Head later.

Steve Smith – 5

Looked out of sorts early on. Needless pre-match attack on Monty Panesar.

Travis Head – 9

Perhaps unfair not to get the full 10, however he attempted a pretty poor stroke in the first innings. His follow-on century was an historic performance.

Cameron Green – Five

Claimed the key wicket of Pope in the first innings. Shaken by a Mark Wood bouncer when he batted. Barely required in the second half.

Carey – 5

Attempted a counter-attack against England's bowlers on the first evening. Neat with the gloves.

Mitchell Starc – Nine

Shouldered the burden of the bowling in the absence of Pat Cummins and Hazlewood achieving the first Aussie Ashes 10-wicket haul for two decades.

Boland – Six

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

Doggett – Six

Steady first appearance. Quite able stand-in for the main bowlers and others.

Nathan Lyon – 2

Almost an onlooker in a match controlled by fast bowling. Maybe picked up an injury when struck by Wood.

Connected Subjects

• England Men's Cricket Team
• Australia
• Ashes Series
• The Sport

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