Ashes Individual Performance Scores: Which England Players Received the Lowest Grade?

English Team Individual Evaluations

Zak Crawley – 1

Expected in Aussie conditions but recorded just a rare Ashes pair from an English opener facing only a handful of deliveries.

Ben Duckett – 5

Made starts in both innings. His dismissal on Saturday was when things started to fall apart for the English side.

Pope – 6

Appears improved due to technical tweaks. Opening match in the series is usually his best, then it goes downhill. England need him to kick on.

Root – 1

Miles off his maiden century on Australian soil. The side need the nous of their best player to have any chance to come back from this defeat.

Harry Brook – Five

His half-century in the first innings was lively, yet important. Poor shot in the follow-on.

Stokes – Six

Returned from injury with a five-wicket haul, but appeared short of rhythm with the bat. Lost control in the field against Head's aggressive batting.

Smith – Four

Might possess the skills for Australia, but needs to smarten up. Will likely face a lot of short bowling from now on.

Gus Atkinson – Five

Part of the strong English initial bowling effort and tried to contribute while batting later on. Among the bowlers that collapsed during the match.

Brydon Carse – 5

Similar to above, with added spice of being taken apart by Head.

Jofra Archer – Five

Looked impressive while bowling initially and was the best of a bad bunch later. Could still play a key role on the series.

Mark Wood – 5

Went without a wicket, but extremely impressive to just get on the field given his time away.

Australia Player Evaluations

Jake Weatherald – Six

Debutant had tough luck to face to Jofra Archer in the first innings, later played his part in the stunning pursuit of runs.

Khawaja – 3

A bizarre Test. Appeared fully fit and spent time off the field. Held on to a couple of important catches at slip, but also looked slow in the field. Earns a point for the injury which enabled Travis Head to bat as opener.

Marnus Labuschagne – Seven

An effective comeback to the team. Absorbed the English pressure more effectively than most in the first innings, then backed up Head later.

Steve Smith – 5

Seemed out of sorts early on. Unnecessary before the game comments on Monty Panesar.

Head – Nine

Perhaps churlish not to award the full 10, however he played a rather ropey stroke initially. His second-innings hundred proved to be an historic performance.

Green – Five

Took the key dismissal of Ollie Pope early. Rattled by a Wood bouncer when he batted. Barely required later in the match.

Carey – 5

Attempted a counter-attack versus the English attack early in the match. Neat behind the stumps.

Starc – 9

Shouldered the burden of the attack in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood with the first Aussie Ashes series 10-wicket haul for two decades.

Boland – 6

Short of his best in the first innings. Got better later to trigger the England collapse.

Brendan Doggett – 6

Solid debut. Quite capable replacement for Cummins and others.

Nathan Lyon – Two

Almost a spectator during a game dominated by fast bowling. Maybe picked up a knock when struck by Mark Wood.

Related Topics

• English Men's Cricket Team
• Australian Team
• The Ashes
• The Sport

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