NASSER HUSSAIN’S ASHES SERIES RATINGS –
NASSER HUSSAIN’S ASHES RATINGS ON ENGLAND’S HEROES AND THE AUSSIE FLOPS
ALASTAIR COOK
He’s been in decent nick with the bat and played brilliantly for his 96 at Lord’s, but this mark is mainly for his captaincy. He’s not a changed man — let’s not go too far — but he’s been more attacking and more funky. The short cover point to Steve Smith was a smart move and he has let the young lads express themselves.
ADAM LYTH
He’s attracted some good balls but has been too expansive outside off stump and has issues with his trigger movements, which are a fraction late and have left him out of sync. He’ll need runs at The Oval to extend his career.
IAN BELL
His move to No 3 refreshed England’s line-up and usually meant that one-down didn’t quickly become two-down. It gave the batting an energy boost. He has caught well, too, especially after missing a few against New Zealand.
GARY BALLANCE
The two Tests he played were a real struggle for him. His weight was so far back that he looked as if he was playing French cricket at times. He seems mentally strong so may well come again but needs to transfer his weight into the shot and watch the ball.
JOE ROOT
Simply brilliant — and on pitches which have moved around. His first-innings runs have been vital, especially the hundreds at Cardiff and Trent Bridge, and his slip catching has been world class. He’s just the kind of character any team needs — and he does a decent Bob Willis impression, too.
JONNY BAIRSTOW
Got a jaffa from Mitchell Johnson at Edgbaston but his partnership with Root at Trent Bridge was vital and it’s good that England are picking guys in form. He still has a slight technical issue with his closed bat face but he’s a
BEN STOKES
He’s going to be a vital cog in this team. I’d not seen him swing the ball like he did at Trent Bridge, where people were worried England would miss Anderson. That was outstanding. He’s still feast or famine with the bat, but what an exciting cricketer.
JOS BUTTLER
He’s been regarded as a batsman who keeps but at times in this series it’s been the other way round. Some of his glovework down the leg side has been very good, but his batting has been exposed by Australia’s left-armers. He just needs a score, because there’s no doubt he’s got a big future.
MOEEN ALI
During the last Ashes England’s lower order were blown away. Not any more. Ali has scored some very useful runs from No 8, often with Stuart Broad, and I still think he can bat higher up the order if England want to fit in a second spinner. With the ball, he still looks a part-timer.
STUART BROAD
That spell at Trent Bridge was a series-winning one, but he was threatening in the three other games. Previously he’s had one good game in a series but been quiet the rest of the time. This time he’s looked exceptional in every Test. His runs from No 9 have been crucial, too.
MARK WOOD
At times he needs more discipline, as he has admitted, and should just try to hit the top of off stump. But he’s also looked dangerous and it said a lot for England’s seam-bowling strength that David Warner reckoned he never felt fully in during his second innings at Trent Bridge.
STEVEN FINN
His performance at Edgbaston was a popular one for English cricket — after what he’s been through, so many people wanted him to do well. He looked short of rhythm at Trent Bridge but England will be thrilled to have his height and bounce back in the side.
JIMMY ANDERSON
After England lost so badly at Lord’s, Anderson provided just the tonic on an Edgbaston greentop. He was clever in going from swing bowling to a wobble-seam. And don’t forget how well he bowled to Brad Haddin at Cardiff. I’d not try to rush him back for The Oval. England will need him in the UAE and South Africa.