Series ratings: Australia player ratings from 4-1 loss to England
AFTER the highs of a glorious Ashes campaign, Australia has been reminded just how much hard work it has to do before the World Cup — So who’s to blame?
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AFTER the highs of a glorious Ashes campaign, Australia has been reminded just how much hard work it has to do before its next big assignment — the 2019 World Cup in England.
Steve Smith’s men have been trounced 4-1 by England in this month’s one-day series, with the gap between the two teams as clear as day.
It’s a result that sees Australia drop down to fifth on the ICC’s ODI rankings, four points behind third-ranked England and six behind world No.1 South Africa.
Make no mistake, there will be plenty of soul searching after this result but who stepped up for the team and who let them down.
We take a closer look at all the Australian players in our series ratings.
AARON FINCH – 9
275 runs at 91.66. Two centuries. HS 107
The form batsman in either side across the first three games, Finch’s campaign was brought to an end by a dodgy hamstring. He must wish he could play England every day – he has scored five of his 10 ODI centuries against the old enemy. Scored two tons on the trot to start the series and looked short odds to complete a third at the SCG.
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DAVID WARNER – 2
73 runs at 14.60. HS 35
While Finch excelled at the top of the order, Warner had the worst series of his ODI career (minimum three matches). It was a strange five matches for the left-hander, who never looked far from form yet still finished with the second worst average of any recognised batsman in the series.
TRAVIS HEAD – 6
130 at 32.50. HS 96
It was not a great campaign for Head but he picks up a couple of points for stepping up to inspire Australia’s first win of the series. Looks far more comfortable at the top of the order than in the middle of it, which is a problem because there’s no way he’s displacing Finch or Warner.
STEVE SMITH – 3
102 runs at 20.40. HS 45.
It was a disastrous series for the Australian captain, who scored his runs at a worrying low strike rate of 68.91. His series high score 45 was actually one of his poorer innings, with the 28-year-old enduring a tortured 66-ball stay before being given out controversially. He has looked out of sorts in 50-over cricket for a while now and will be looking forward to getting back into the Test arena in South Africa.
CAMERON WHITE – 2
35 runs at 17.50. HS 17
It was not a happy return for the Victorian. Crammed into the side at No.6, White failed to give the middle-order the added impetus it required, labouring to 15 off 21. Pushed up to No.3 for games three and four, the veteran failed to make the most of his opportunities. Also shelled a sitter at the SCG. In short, it was not a good series.
MITCHELL MARSH – 7
186 runs at 37.20. HS 55
Three wickets at 27.00. Economy of 4.50. BB 2-24
Marsh displayed his new found maturity all series, only once falling for a score below 30 and making two half-centuries in five innings. Improved with the ball as the series went on and was touching 140km/h in the final match, which suggests his shoulder woes are behind him.
MARCUS STOINIS – 8
221 runs at 44.20. HS 87
Two wickets at 67.00. Economy of 6.28. BB 1-33
Stoinis was both consistent and destructive, helping himself to three half-centuries and scoring his runs at a strike rate of 111.05. Looked the perfect fit at No.3 in game five too but will regret not getting the job done. Has a ways to go as a bowler.
GLENN MAXWELL – 3.5
34 runs at 34. HS 34
Left out for the first four games, Maxwell got the chance to prove selectors wrong at Perth Stadium and was half way there by making 34. But after Stoinis fell he really had to get the job done.
TIM PAINE – 7
Six catches.
117 runs at 58.50. HS 34.
Kept up his normal high standards behind the stumps and quietly enjoyed a strong series with the bat. He’ll be under pressure with the gloves purely because of the quality of the man he is keeping out of the team – Alex Carey – but he had a fine campaign.
ALEX CAREY – 6
One catch.
27 runs at 27.00. HS 112.50
Gave Australian fans plenty to be excited about in his ODI debut, where he kept with aplomb and scored a quickfire 27 off 24.
PAT CUMMINS – 7
Seven wickets 22.00. Economy of 5.13. BB 4-24
Copped a hammering with the new ball at the MCG, but adjusted his lengths well from there to finish with a good economy in a high scoring series. Produced career best figures on a green deck at Adelaide Oval and was the best of Australia’s big three quicks.
MITCHELL STARC – 5
Seven wickets at 36.57. Economy of 6.56. BB 4-59
It was a tough series for Australia’s premier white ball bowler, who looked below his best. He still finished with the second most wickets of any Australian bowler thanks to a scintillating spell of reverse swing bowling at the Gabba.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD – 6
Five wickets at 29.60 – economy of 5.10. BB 3-39
It was a so-so series for Hazlewood, who kept things tight after missing the first two matches and had the new ball singing at Adelaide Oval.
ANDREW TYE – 8
Eight wickets at 21.12. Economy of 4.63. One five-for. BB 5-46
Wicketless in his first two matches, Tye went on to finish the series as Australia’s top wicket-taker. Improved with each and every game he played, culminating in a maiden five-wicket haul at his new home ground.
JHYE RICHARDSON – 6
Two wickets at 28.50. Economy of 5.70. BB 2-57
The young quick impressed on his ODI debut, bowling with plenty of pace and taking the big wickets of Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales to give Australia a chance of defending a meagre total of 270.
ADAM ZAMPA – 4.5
Two wickets at 107.50. Economy of 5.97. BB 1-46
He did not offer Australia the same threat that Adil Rashid did for England, but bowled with plenty of control. His best performance came in the final game of the series after he’d been given a run of three straight matches. Funny what a bit of continuity can do for a young legspinner.
Originally published as Series ratings: Australia player ratings from 4-1 loss to England
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