First Test player ratings: Steve Smith raises the bar, England should stay away from it ...
STEVE Smith raised the bar for Australia — while Jonny Bairstow showed England should probably stay away from it ... See who starred and who struggled in our first Test ratings.
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STEVE Smith raised the bar for Australia — while Jonny Bairstow showed England should probably stay away from it ... See who starred and who struggled in our first Test ratings.
AUSTRALIA
CAMERON BANCROFT: 7
Missed out in the first innings (5) on debut but constructed a cracking unbeaten 82 to guide Australia home. Made of the tough stuff and wasn’t fazed by Jonny Bairstow’s bizarre headbutt greeting.
DAVID WARNER: 7
Looked very sharp with an unbeaten 87 in the second dig and was responsible for the headbutt sledges that ignited the series.
USMAN KHAWAJA: 3
Didn’t look comfortable and his spin woes continued when Moeen Ali cleaned him up with a plumb lbw.
CRUSHING: Aussies cruise to first Test victory
ANALYSIS: 10 things we learned
STEVE SMITH: 9
Was the difference between the sides with his unbeaten 141 in the first innings which saved the Test for Australia.
PETER HANDSCOMB: 3
Was in sketchy form for the start of the Sheffield Shield and struggled with 14 in the first innings. Glenn Maxwell is lurking.
SHAUN MARSH: 7
Came to the crease under huge pressure with Australia 4-76 but composed an important half-century and solid partnership with Smith to keep his spot for Adelaide.
TIM PAINE: 7
Was under scrutiny and dropped a regulation catch off Nathan Lyon’s bowling but his stumping of Moeen Ali was pure class and a massive moment in the match.
MITCHELL STARC: 7
Struggled early on the slow wicket but bowled some important spells and got his short-ball bang on to finish with six wickets, the most of Australia’s bowlers.
PAT CUMMINS: 7
Was arguably the pick of the Aussie quicks despite only claiming four wickets for the match. His inswinger to trap Joe Root was a cracker.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD: 6
Struggled to find any rhythm in the first innings but was much improved in the second and picked up Root to finish with four scalps for the match.
NATHAN LYON: 8
Had England in all sorts with an excellent display of spin bowling and his effort to run out James Vince (83) was exceptional.
ENGLAND
ALASTAIR COOK: 2
A stellar career is nearing its end with scores of 2 and 7 doing little to help England given his standing as the most experienced player in the team.
MARK STONEMAN: 6
Has had an excellent tour and a half-century in the first innings was an important dig, although England would have loved him to go on.
JAMES VINCE: 7
England’s top scorer in the first innings (83) and could have gone on to a ton if not for some lethargy and Lyon’s supreme fielding.
JOE ROOT: 6
His captaincy was daring and innovative but scores of 15 and 51 were not enough from the world’s No. 2 ranked Test batsman.
DAWID MALAN: 6
Provided some resistance in the first innings with 56 but was at sea in the second (4) when the game was on the line.
MOEEN ALI: 7
England’s all-rounder x-factor was strong with scores of 38 and 40 to go with two wickets, including the important scalp of Usman Khawaja.
JONNY BAIRSTOW: 5
Was handy behind the stumps but didn’t contribute enough with the bat (9 and 42) and has brought unwanted scrutiny to the team with his off-field antics.
CHRIS WOAKES: 3
Took one wicket and scored 17 runs in two innings. Not enough of either for an all-rounder.
STUART BROAD: 6
Pains us to say it but he is all class and was the pick of England’s bowlers, taking a team-high three wickets.
JAKE BALL: 3
Took one wicket and was the most expensive of the England bowlers. Needs to lift.
JAMES ANDERSON: 5
Bowled well in tandem with Broad and has lost none of his tricks. Will relish the pink ball under lights at Adelaide.
Originally published as First Test player ratings: Steve Smith raises the bar, England should stay away from it ...