Australia’s Ashes player ratings from old Trafford: Steve Smith’s perfect 10, David Warner’s ground zero
Australia celebrated retaining the Ashes as a collective, but some contributions were greater than others; from the sublime Steve Smith to the ridiculously out of form David Warner. Australia’s XI ranked.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Ashes are retained thanks to a nailbiting 185-run fourth Test win at Old Trafford built around the batting brilliance of Steve Smith, an astonishing bowling display from Australia’s balanced attack and the tactical genius of Tim Paine.
As there has been all series, the sensational performances of a few papered over the cracks left by many – but such was the dominance of Smith, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Marnus Labuschagne that it was more than enough.
Live stream the India v South Africa T20 Series with KAYO SPORTS on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14-day free trial >
We run the rule over Australia’s performances in Manchester.
MARCUS HARRIS – 1.5
13 and 6
Has found life tough upon his return to the Test team and would be facing more scrutiny if not for the utterly abysmal form of his opening partner.
Harris failed in his duty to protect Australia’s middle order, falling in the seventh over of both innings in near identical fashion to Stuart Broad on both occasions.
DAVID WARNER – 0.5
0 and 0
The worst Test of Warner’s impressive career. Zero runs, zero catches – though he did win fans over with a cheery ‘woooo’ to silence a heckler calling him a cheat.
Became the first Australian opener to register a pair since Mark Taylor against Pakistan in 1994. Stuart Broad is inside his head and it’s at the point where his spot in the team for the fifth Test cannot be guaranteed.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE – 8.5
67 and 11
Whether you think he’s Steve Smith’s ‘mini me’ or his soulmate, one thing is certain: Marnus Labuschagne is Australia’s second best batsman this series.
Dreams came true as he batted alongside Smith in the first innings, with the pair a whirlwind of nervous tics, theatrical leaves and steady run scoring. He scored a vital half-century. And then?
He took arguably the most crucial breakthrough of the match by dislodging tailender extraordinaire Jack Leach when called on in fading light. It retained the Ashes.
STEVE SMITH - 10
211 and 82
This is Steve Smith’s Ashes, and there can be no question about that. The Australian No. 4 is playing a different game to everyone.
At Old Trafford he spearheaded the rebuild in each innings, posting a magnificent double-century – and potentially an even more remarkable 82 in the second dig. Smith is gobbling up records – and celebratory bars of chocolate, his reward for a century – like few before him. No longer just a modern day marvel, he’s already a bona fide all-time great.
TRAVIS HEAD - 3
19 and 12
After a healthy start at Edgbaston, Head’s series has fallen apart, and he again disappointed at Old Trafford. England have enjoyed great success attacking Head’s stumps, which was perfectly exemplified when Jofra Archer uprooted his middle stump in the second dig. Averaging 14 from the past two Tests and questions will start being asked about his long-term security in the middle order.
MATTHEW WADE - 6
16 and 34
Fell to arguably the worst shot of the match, attempting to slog Jack Leach into the deep but failing to clear Joe Root and instead abandoning Smith in the 90s.
It felt a crucial time of the match and Smith was visibly disappointed by the lack of match awareness.
But Wade responded to, with Smith, to dig Australia out of trouble in the second innings. He stood up to Archer and Broad, absorbed pressure and attacked as Australia batted England out of the contest. Took a super catch at short-leg, too.
TIM PAINE – 8.5
58 and 23no
One catch
Was heavily criticised after the Headingley defeat – both for his batting and captaincy – and bounced back in a big way, with a critical first-innings half century and some inspired tactical changes.
Two declarations in the dusk were vindicated, as was his decision to open the second innings with Pat Cummins ahead of Mitchell Starc, with wickets late on day two and four. And his call to throw the ball to Marnus Labuschagne at the death?
Inspired. The first Australian captain to retain the Ashes in England since Steve Waugh in 2001.
PAT CUMMINS – 9.5
3-60 and 4-43
A lionhearted effort from the world’s No. 1 bowler, who has been Australia’s second best all series – and there’s no shame in being behind Steve Smith. Cummins delivered the hammer blow in the dusk on day four with two wickets in two balls to tear the heart out of England’s hopes of saving the Test.
But it was earlier that he truly excelled. Late on day two he bowled one of the spells of the series, getting inside the head and under the skin of England pair Joe Root and Rory Burns - cruelly going unrewarded.
And he still finished with match figures of 7-43.
MITCHELL STARC – 6.5
3-80 and 1-46
54 not out
Was brought into the team to be a wicket-taker and partnership breaker, and he did just that – with large quiet periods in between.
Burst into life before lunch on day four with a piercing spell that claimed the wickets of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes – and came up with the goods on day five when he did the double on Bairstow. A brisk half-century gave Australia a big lead to work with too.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD – 7.5
4-57 and 2-31
Cummins is the best quick in the world, but Josh Hazlewood is not far behind.
He road the coat-tails of his teammate’s brilliance in the first innings, cashing in with the wickets after Cummins’ sustained pressure – but was his own man on day five, taking down England’s last recognised batsmen, Jos Buttler, and then fittingly grabbing the final pole of Craig Overton.
NATHAN LYON - 4
0-89 and 2-51
Split his spinning finger open early in this Test and it damn near ruined him. The gutsy spinner applied superglue to the wound to seal it shut and went about his business, but it was clear he wasn’t the same Lyon who spun Australia to victory at Edgbaston. Went wicketless in the first innings and struggled again on the final day – though took the wickets of Jofra Archer and, crucially, Joe Denly as Australia.