NASSER HUSSAIN’S FIRST TEST RATINGS
ENGLAND
ALASTAIR COOK 3 hIs form is a concern but you would still back him, once he gets in, to make the big scores his team desperately need. MARK STONEMAN 7 lookeD pretty well organised for someone playing their first ashes Test, although he needs to convert his good starts.
JAMES VINCE 7 PlayeD an exquisite knock in the first innings under big pressure. his run out was maybe the biggest turning point in the match. JOE ROOT 7 ImPressIVe captaincy throughout the game. slight concern that he got out in similar ways in both innings.
DAWID MALAN 6 anoTher who looked well organised in his first ashes Test. lyon will be a threat to him. Can’t stay in his shell against the spinner. MOEEN ALI 6 BaTTeD nicely in both innings but another guilty of not going on to get a big score outbowled by lyon. hampered by injured finger.
JONNY BAIRSTOW 6 kePT pretty well, taking a good catch to dismiss Paine. needs to have a batting plan against the short stuff. CHRIS WOAKES 4 a BIT ineffective with the older ball and england need him to take more of the burden off anderson and Broad.
AUSTRALIA
DAVID WARNER 7 PerhaPs a bit subdued at times and he needs to watch that short-arm jab. Undoubtedly going to be a key wicket in this series. CAMERON BANCROFT 7 In good form and showed why they picked him. Wouldn’t mind seeing a leg slip fielder used with him as he clips a lot.
USMAN KHAWAJA 4 hIs not seem problems to be against solved and spin he do needs to work out keeping bat and pad together. Drs an issue for him. STEVE SMITH 9.5 The skipper led by example. set his stall out to play a proper Test innings and make a big score, which was the defining contribution. PETER HANDSCOMB 5 englanD will focus on his technique of hanging back in his crease and he was undone by clever bowling from anderson. SHAUN MARSH 7 Came in at a difficult time in the first innings and showed why they keep going back to him. Candidate to bat at three if necessary.
STUART BROAD 7.5 lIkeD his use of cutters and a great ball to get shaun marsh. has all the experience and nous, and it showed.
JAKE BALL 4 If you’re going to have a fifth bowler, he needs to offer something a bit different. Ball’s type of bowling still does not look well suited to australia. JAMES ANDERSON 7.5 noT going to be as effective with kookaburra ball but did well and a great dismissal of handscomb. Fitness is a slight concern.
TIM PAINE 6 noT a bad performance under considerable pressure. smart stumping of ali but dropped James Vince in the first innings. MITCHELL STARC 7.5 noT at his peak but a bowler who gets good players out and threatens the tail. he provides good variation and there could be better to come. PAT CUMMINS 7.5 a very useful performance with bat and ball. he ensures there is no drop off in quality after the new ball, keeping the pressure on.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD 7.5 noT convinced he is the ‘best bowler in the world’ yet but clearly very good. Clever dismissal of Cook when he surprised the opener. NATHAN LYON 8.5 TalkeD the talk before the match and then walked the walk. Vital run out of Vince and his fine bowling could have been better rewarded on the first day. ENGLAND.. ave 5.9 AUSTRALIA.. ave 6.9