Ian Chappell report card: Perfect summer doesn’t mask top order cracks
Ricky Ponting’s replacement has finally arrived, Steve Smith needs to sort himself out against the short ball and three players failed to seize an opportunity. Ian Chappell rates the summer.
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The Australian Test team enjoyed a perfect summer — five matches played, five won convincingly.
This hugely satisfying result was achieved thanks to a great bowling attack, three top-class batsmen with three others in the “iffy” category, led by an astute skipper.
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Here’s my report card on the individual players:
David Warner Rating: 8.5
After an abysmal Ashes campaign, it was a case of “home sweet home” for Warner. The trademark aggression and assertiveness quickly returned, but nowadays they’re complemented by a ruthless streak that culminated in a remarkable triple century. Given Warner’s extraordinary level of fitness, he should be around for as long as he desires.
Joe Burns Rating: 4
Burns’s summer started with a bang and ended with the “ppphht” of a dud firework. He deserved another opportunity as a Test opener but his place is now vulnerable. He has a decent stroke range when set, but there are a few chinks in his armour early on, including a susceptibility to the inswinger, a serious flaw for an opener.
Marnus Labuschagne Rating: 9
Followed a successful Ashes campaign with a monumental record-breaking summer. His technique featured further improvement from the Ashes model and his quick footwork against spinners makes him a constant threat to amass a big score. He’s the aggressive, long-term No.3 Australia have craved since Ricky Ponting retired. He just needs to remain true to himself and not become too much of a Steve Smith clone.
Steve Smith Rating: 7
It was an inconceivably sparse summer for Smith with the absence of a Test century. Smith is extremely strong mentally but he could well have fallen victim to a case of overthinking. This was especially so when he faced Neil Wagner’s bouncer barrage, since a player of his elite calibre should never find himself in such a bind.
Travis Head Rating: 6
Didn’t get ahead this summer. He was guilty of treading water despite the admirable attribute of rarely being dismissed early. This is balanced by his frustrating habit of not capitalising on those starts often enough. His failure to regularly accumulate big scores results from a vulnerability to short-pitched deliveries and a frailty around off- stump.
Matthew Wade Rating: 5.5
Another batsman who didn’t advance his reputation. Wade is now susceptible to a challenge from a younger player, despite his aggression as a middle-order batsman being a valuable trait. Too often — especially against the spinners — his ultra-aggressive approach could be construed as the result of a “get them before they get me” mentality.
Tim Paine Rating: 8.5
For a captain whose future has often been questioned, Paine had an outstanding summer in all departments: leading, keeping and batting. His worth is only partly judged on the undefeated summer his team enjoyed, as he’s also helped elevate the reputation of the Australian cricket team since the Cape Town fiasco. Australia’s rehabilitation period would’ve been prolonged without Paine’s strong leadership.
Pat Cummins Rating: 8.5
A terrific summer for an exemplary cricketer. Cummins is everything a captain wants in a fast bowler: he has pace, accuracy, a dose of the smarts and he wants the ball when the team needs him most. He gives the batsmen no peace with his relentless attack on the stumps but his aggression never spills over. Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada could well take a leaf out of Cummins’ manifesto.
Mitchell Starc Rating: 8.5
A crucial tweak to his action at the point of delivery worked wonders as Starc was much more consistent than in previous seasons. Starc answered the critics in becoming the season’s leading wicket-taker and, in doing so, responded appropriately to his regular rejection during the Ashes.
Nathan Lyon Rating: 8
Just when you think Lyon is not doing enough to justify his reputation, he produces a 10-wicket haul at the SCG. He carved through the New Zealand batting line-up with surgical precision but struggled against the more nimble of the Pakistan players. He’s an ideal complement to a strong pace attack — an accurate spinner who can strike as well as contain.
Josh Hazlewood Rating: 7
He started the summer in his usual workmanlike style and appeared set for another consistent season until injury struck. Hazlewood continues to be a bowler who gives everything he’s got and his standard rarely dips.
James Pattinson Rating: 7
Australia is fortunate to have a bowler of Pattinson’s calibre to step in when injuries occur. Talk of a Big Three should be upgraded to a Fearsome Foursome as the high standard set by Australia’s fast bowlers doesn’t dip when the ultra-aggressive Pattinson is the preferred replacement.