Australia vs. West Indies, Australian player ratings: Bowlers save embarrassment of top order batters
After some middle order resistance set up a competitive total, the Australian bowling attack led by Josh Hazlewood skittled the West Indies. But did it paper over some cracks? Every player rated here.
Australia has bounced back from its World Test Championship final disappointment courtesy of an emphatic victory over the West Indies in the first Test of their Caribbean tour with the bowlers coming to the party to skittle the hosts and secure victory in three days.
Josh Hazlewood led the way in the final innings with five wickets, and seven for the match, but in the end his efforts – along with the rest of the bowling attack – carried an underwhelming batting performance, particularly up top. So where did each player rate in the win?
USMAN KHAWAJA
RATING: 5.5
Wasn’t a great Test for the veteran opener but he dug in after getting some first innings luck to produce an important 47. Looked better in the second dig before being hurried by Alzarri Joseph.
SAM KONSTAS
RATING: 1
An ugly return to the Test arena for the boy wonder, who was done over by Shamar Joseph in both innings. Konstas’ struggles against in-ducking deliveries will only gain more attention. Also dropped a catch at short leg and in the deep.
CAMERON GREEN
RATING: 2.5
The West Australian missed out again in both innings, continuing his poor start to life as a Test No. 3. He looked all at sea in the first dig but a more assured second innings vigil was a silver lining. Dropped a catch at gully in the run chase, not that it made much of a difference.
JOSH INGLIS
RATING: 2
The backup gloveman failed to take advantage of his return to the XI, falling cheaply to Jayden Seales in both innings.
Whether he keeps his spot will likely hinge on the progress of Steve Smith’s recovery.
TRAVIS HEAD
RATING: 8.5
Was the man for the conditions, with the left-hander playing a pair of typically aggressive knocks to half-centuries in both innings.
He has an extraordinary record against the Windies, notwithstanding a king pair at the Gabba last year.
BEAU WEBSTER
RATING: 7
The Tasmanian looks like a man for all seasons, playing another important knock in the second innings after copping a first innings beauty from Shamaar Joseph. The all-rounder took two first innings wickets as well.
ALEX CAREY
RATING: 6.5
The gloveman’s first innings dismissal drew criticism but he redeemed himself with a punch second innings half-century.
The gloveman dropped a catch however his diving stunner – albeit contentious – was a classic.
PAT CUMMINS
RATING: 8
The skipper made crucial first innings interventions and generally bowled beautifully, keeping things very tight. Hardly needed to pull of anything special with field settings while his 28 in the first innings was handy.
MITCHELL STARC
RATING: 7.5
The left-arm spearhead struck with the new ball in both innings. He was the most expensive of the quicks as is often the case but played his role.
NATHAN LYON
RATING: 5
Was taken down in the first innings but managed to close out proceedings late on day three. Spin was barely a factor in the match so Lyon did solidly enough.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD
RATING: 9
Seven wickets for the match including four in quick succession late on day three to break the back of the West Indies.
There’s a reason Australia keeps picking this guy ahead of Scott Boland.
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