Ashes player ratings for fourth Test between Australia and England
He bounded out of the blocks with a dream start in Brisbane, but since then its been a slightly downward trajectory for wicketkeeper Alex Carey. How important is Hobart for him?
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An SCG draw, but certainly not one of the conventional sort, was dominated by Usman Khawaja and his pair of centuries, but it’s not all good news for the home side.
The form of at least two players will come under serious question ahead of the final Test in Hobart — and that is reflected in their player ratings for Sydney.
And what about the Poms. Unlike their efforts earlier in the series, they have six players scoring seven or more.
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Here are the SCG player ratings.
AUSTRALIA
DAVID WARNER 5
By his own lofty standards, Warner hasn’t really got it going this series despite making 90s in the first two Tests and averaging 45. Made 30 and 3 in Sydney, his lowest return for the summer, after a watchful start that ended when he fell to his nemesis Stuart Broad for the 13th time.
MARCUS HARRIS 6
Was told that he was safe for the series after his half-century in Melbourne but surely he has to be under pressure to retain his spot at the top of the order now after getting a start in each innings (38 and 27) but once again failing to capitalise after doing the hard work. Also dropped a sharp catch fielding in close. That won’t help his chances either.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE 6
The No. 1 batter in the world didn’t cash in like he normally does after getting his eye in, contributing 28 and 29, falling to Mark Wood both times. But he is still the leading runscorer in the series and looks close to another big score.
STEVE SMITH 7.5
Continued his love affair with the SCG when he set up Australia’s huge first innings total with an impressive 67. Was left cursing himself for not going on with it but it was still an important knock. Took a couple of good catches and a surprise wicket right at the end that set up the nailbiting finish.
USMAN KHAWAJA 10
Ussie, Ussie, Ussie. Oi, Oi, Oi. The first batter to score twin hundreds in an Ashes Test at the SCG after being recalled from the wilderness. That’s the sort of stuff players can only dream about. This was as close to perfection as it gets. He has to keep his spot even if he was told it was a one-off return.
CAMERON GREEN 8
Produced his best effort yet with the blade when he belted 74 in the second innings, staying with Khawaja as he got to his second ton. Bowled and fielded well too. He’s the real deal, but he’s still developing so everyone needs to remain patient but he’s an exciting prospect.
ALEX CAREY 4
His worst performance after such a bright start to the series. Dropped two catches behind the stumps when he dived for nicks that were going towards first slip and he also failed with the bat both times, getting a golden duck in the second innings but wouldn’t have even batted if Australia declared earlier.
PAT CUMMINS 6
Made a handy contribution with the bat and picked up two first innings wickets but will face scrutiny about whether he should have declared earlier. He had two catches dropped off him before tea on the last but stepped up and trapped Jos Buttler and Mark Wood lbw in the same over but all to no avail.
MITCHELL STARC 6
Another impressive effort with the bat – he’s averaging 75 in the series – but managed only one wicket with the ball, though he unluckily had Jonny Bairstow dropped after finding the edge. He kept charging in but as the only quick to have played all four Tests the workload is starting to take a toll. Still likely to play in Hobart because he’s been so good in this series but the selectors may consider giving him a break with plenty of cricket to come.
NATHAN LYON 6
Although the pitch wasn’t exactly turning sideways, there was enough variable bounce and turn to give the spinners enough encouragement even if they had to work hard for their wickets. Lyon bagged four for the match to overtake Starc as the leading wicket taker in the series, including Ben Stokes in both innings, but couldn’t get the one that mattered at the death.
SCOTT BOLAND 8
The find of the Summer. So much for the theory he’s a one-track pony. Carried over his astonishing form, on debut in Melbourne last month, to the SCG with another stunning display that yielded seven wickets in the match. The highlight? Getting Joe Root for a duck.
ENGLAND
HASEEB HAMEED 2
Another miserable game to continue his hellish tour. But at least he’s consistent. His last six innings have produced scores of 6, 0, 0, 7, 6, 9. He can start packing his bags because his series should be over now.
ZAK CRAWLEY 7
His defiant 77 in England’s second innings was one of the best knocks in the Test match and a promising sign for England but it was too little and too late and he wasted a review after he was trapped right in front by Cameron Green.
DAWID MALAN 2
Made just seven runs in the match. He was England’s best batter in the first two Tests but that looks like a distant memory after the wheels have fallen off. His dismissal in the second innings, when he was clean bowled by Nathan Lyon, was a shocker.
JOE ROOT 3
After carrying the team through the first three Tests, the England skipper’s resistance ended in Sydney when he made a duck then a patient 24. The questions about whether he’s the right man to lead England will only grow louder even after they escaped with a draw.
BEN STOKES 8.5
The English all rounder has always been a tough nut to crack but this was something else. Broke down with a side strain while bowling on day one and didn’t roll the arm over again but still made two defiant half-centuries when his team needed some inspiration.
JONNY BAIRSTOW 9
Produced one of the gutsiest performances by a Pom in years at the SCG. He badly injured his thumb batting in the first innings but still went on and made a century. Then in the second innings he fought hard again with a brave 41. England can thank him for avoiding a loss.
JOS BUTTLER 2
Agatha Christie was right – the butler didn’t do it. Not this time anyway. England’s namesake had a match he’ll want to forget, making a duck in the first innings then just 11 in the second with injury preventing him from keeping in Australia’s second dig. To rub more salt in his wounds, Buttler’s replacement with the gloves helped himself to four catches – equalling the record for a substitute fielder.
MARK WOOD 6
Arguably England’s best bowler throughout the series, but also the unluckiest. He’s been the one quick who has regularly troubled the Aussie batters, even if his return of three wickets in Sydney wasn’t a true reflection. Made a handy 39 with the willow in the first innings but a duck in the second.
JACK LEACH 7.5
Hasn’t been a factor at all in the series before this match but managed to pick up four wickets in Australia’s second innings when the home side were pushing the accelerator before a declaration. Got Cameron Green and Alex Carey in successive balls but was denied the chance of a hat-trick when Cummins called an end to the innings. His batting at the end was calm and key to salvaging a draw for England.
STUART BROAD 7
There’s no more dangerous a player than a scorned fast bowler with an axe to grind after being left out. Broad – who was overlooked for the Brisbane and Melbourne Tests – reminded England’s selectors how they stuffed up when he collected a five-wicket haul. Also batted through to the end to save the match.
JAMES ANDERSON 5
The old warhorse only took one wicket in the match, his smallest contribution in three games he’s played. His bowling was economical but the 39-year-old rarely threatened the Aussie batters with Marcus Harris his only scalp. However, he gets extra marks for surviving that nervous final over from Steve Smith to secure the draw.
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