World Test Championship, Australia player ratings: The good, bad and the ugly of the final

There were moments of brilliance but Australia’s World Test Championship capitulation has left more questions than answers with the Ashes on the horizon. BEN HORNE runs the rule over the performances of Australia’s WTC final XI.

Australia finds itself in a sudden state of disarray having had their pants pulled down by the brilliance of South African history-makers Aiden Markram (136 off 207) and Temba Bavuma (66 off 134) in a World Test Championship Final they had been overwhelming favourites to win.

And with an Ashes series rapidly approaching, there are more questions than answers surrounding this team.

USMAN KHAWAJA

RATING: 2

Was exposed by South African spearhead Kagiso Rabada and questions must now be asked about how he will handle England’s quicks on pacey Australian pitches during the Ashes. Khawaja has had a magnificent last few years in Test cricket but there are signs, age 38, he is fading against quality fast bowling.

That said, this was an isolated Test with no red-ball build-up before it.

Australia's Usman Khawaja walks off the field. Picture: AP Photo

MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE

RATING: 4.5

May not be enough to save him from the axe in the West Indies but in the context of a low scoring game, Labuschagne showed genuine fight to see off 50 plus balls in both innings.

The concern is he is struggling to kick on to scores and it’s now been two years without a Test century.

Labuschagne’s fielding and catching was outstanding and showcased the other areas he contributes to this team.

Marnus Labuschagne showed genuine fight in both innings. Picture: Getty Images

CAMERON GREEN

RATING: 2

Got the best ball of the match in the first innings but was completely outclassed by Rabada with the new ball.

Green is a central part of the future of this batting order but the jury is out on whether or not No.3 is too high for him for the Ashes.

Cameron Green may not be Australia’s answer at No.3. Picture: AP Photo

STEVE SMITH

RATING: 6

Was the only Australian batsman who looked assured in the first innings but then inexplicably threw his wicket away against part-time spinner Aiden Markram.

His dropped catch of Temba Bavuma and compound dislocation injury was a massive double-blow for Australia which proved a pivotal moment in the Final.

Steve Smith threw his wicket away in the first innings, then suffered a serious injury. Picture: AP Photo

TRAVIS HEAD

RATING: 3

Disappointing outing for the man-of-the-match from the last World Test Championship Final in 2023. His wicket before lunch on day one was crucial because had Head not been strangled down leg side he could have shifted the momentum of the match in the next session. Getting him cheaply in both innings was a huge win for South Africa.

Travis Head endured a disappointing outing. Picture: AP Photo

Beau Webster celebrates after scoring his fifty. Picture: AP Photo

BEAU WEBSTER

RATING: 6.5

Looked like he was in all sorts against Kagiso Rabada in the first innings – and should have been out had South Africa appealed an lbw – but the underrated allrounder found a way and gave a lesson to batsmen higher above him.

Posted the highest score of the match for Australia and he can’t easily be dismissed from Ashes plans even when Cameron Green returns to bowling.

Alex Carey endured a mix bag in his return to Lord’s. Picture: AFP

ALEX CAREY

RATING: 5.5

Extremely mixed game for the wicketkeeper. Played a forgettable reverse sweep to throw his wicket away in the first innings and then dropped a sitter of a catch.

But Carey produced a clutch innings in the second dig which has become his trademark over the past couple of years.

Without it Australia was in dire straits.

Pat Cummins holds up the ball to celebrate his six-wicket haul in the first innings. Picture: AP Photo

PAT CUMMINS

RATING: 8.5

Phenomenal bowling performance in the first innings to take six wickets, join the 300-wicket club and completely rattle South Africa with 4-1 in 17 balls.

But the pitch was too flat for even Cummins in the second innings and he went wicketless on day three when Australia desperately needed him to get the breakthrough.

Mitchell Starc was superb with both bat and ball. Picture: AFP

MITCHELL STARC

RATING: 8

Magnificent allround performance from Starc in his 97th Test.

His up front bowling, particularly in the first innings was brilliant and his second innings unbeaten half century saved Australia from even greater humiliation at Lord’s.

Starc helped add 137 runs to the total Australia had no right to after the top order collapse.

Nathan Lyon went wicketless, which was costly for Australia. Picture: AFP

NATHAN LYON

RATING: 3

Conditions weren’t for him in the first innings as Australia skittled South Africa for 138, but he was quiet too in the second innings when his team were desperate for breakthroughs on a dry surface.

Lyon going wicketless was majorly costly for Australia.

Josh Hazlewood took only two wickets in the match. Picture: AP Photo

JOSH HAZLEWOOD

RATING: 5

Typically did not give an inch with his precise bowling in the first innings but only took two wickets for the match.

His gutsy 17 batting with Mitchell Starc was a crucial role and Australia will be pleased their big fast bowler’s body came through the Test with flying colours after fitness troubles in the first Test of series over recent years transitioning from white ball cricket.

Originally published as World Test Championship, Australia player ratings: The good, bad and the ugly of the final