Player ratings: Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith help Aussies stave off collective failure against Proteas

IF you thought the margin of Australia’s loss to South Africa in Hobart was punishment enough, then have a look at these player ratings.

It wasn’t quite the Test debut Callum Ferguson envisioned.

Yes, it was humbling, it was embarrassing, it was humiliating.

But if you thought the margin of Australia’s loss to South Africa in Hobart - an innings and 80 runs - was punishment enough, then have a look at these player ratings.

The marker doesn’t hold back.

David Warner did little to aid Australia’s cause.

DAVID WARNER – 3

His horror dismissal in the first innings set the tone for the entire match, wafting at a ball which would have been a one-day wide. Was unlucky in the second innings when a ball bounced from his hip, onto his elbow and back onto his stumps just as he was getting going.

JOE BURNS – 1

Recalled to replace the injured Shaun Marsh, Burns had a Test he would rather forget. Lasted just 12 balls across his two innings and dropped a tough chance early in the Temba Bavuma innings, but those were the half chances the South Africans were claiming.

USMAN KHAWAJA – 4

Survived a testing spell from Kyle Abbott in the second innings on day three to notch Australia’s only half century of the match. However, was caught behind flashing at a short ball on day four, triggering the all-too-familiar collapse.

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STEVE SMITH – 6

The only batsman in the first innings to show exactly what fight is. In testing circumstances stood tall while everyone fell around him. Had slightly more support in the second dig but when the wheels again fell off, they went quick.

ADAM VOGES – 1

Copped a pearler straight up in the first innings but his second innings dismissal suggested a man fighting his own personal demons. May have played his last Test, despite scoring a double century in Hobart 12 months ago.

It wasn’t quite the Test debut Callum Ferguson envisioned.

CALLUM FERGUSON – 1

Tough Test debut for Ferguson, who made the cardinal sin of trying to pinch a run on a misfield on day one and ran himself out, before misjudging a short ball in the second innings and awkwardly gloving a catch to third slip.

PETER NEVILL – 2

Faced the equal second-most balls of any Australian in the first innings but still had little impact with the bat. Missed a reasonably straight forward stumping chance off Quinton de Kock when he was on 72, which could have helped keep the deficit less than 200.

JOE MENNIE – 2

Second top score in the first innings but despite the pre series comments from chief selector Rod Marsh, is not in the side for his batting. Was tidy but rarely threatening with the ball, tended to be a bit back of a length too much.

MITCH STARC – 4

Revived Australia’s spirits with a blistering spell immediately after tea on day one, triggering a collapse of 3-3. However was unable to land the killer blow like the South African attack.

Josh Hazlewood was great. Most of his teammates were not.

JOSH HAZLEWOOD – 7

The clear pick of the bowlers in Hobart. Finished with the figures of 6-89, well deserved for constantly asking questions. Australia bowled just 18 maidens out of 101 overs - 10 of which were by Hazlewood.

NATHAN LYON – 1

The country’s greatest wicket-taking off-spinner is being treated with contempt by the tourists, and in particular de Kock. Has now gone wicketless in his last two innings and at times appeared to bowl too flat and quick.

Originally published as Player ratings: Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith help Aussies stave off collective failure against Proteas