'Top class' Head Century Puts the Aussies Cruising Towards Win Against England
English Team Individual Ratings
Zak Crawley – 1
Expected for Aussie pitches but managed only a rare duck in both innings by an England opener facing only a handful of deliveries.
Duckett – Five
Made starts in both innings. His dismissal during the match was when it began to unravel for England.
Ollie Pope – Six
Seems better for technical tweaks. Opening match in the series tends to be his best, then it goes downhill. The team require him to build on this.
Root – One
Far off that first hundred on Australian soil. England need the nous from their star performer to have any chance to come back from this.
Harry Brook – 5
His fifty during the initial knock was lively, but valuable. Poor shot in the follow-on.
Stokes – Six
Returned from injury to take a five-for, but looked short of rhythm with the bat. Lost control in the field in the face of Head's assault.
Jamie Smith – Four
Might possess the game to succeed in Australia, yet must to smarten up. Will likely face a lot of short bowling from now on.
Gus Atkinson – 5
Involved in the impressive English first-innings bowling effort and tried to carry the fight while batting later on. Among the attack that fell apart during the match.
Brydon Carse – Five
Comparable to above, plus the spice of getting taken apart by Head.
Archer – Five
Looked impressive with the ball initially and was the top among struggling teammates in the second. Could still have an impact in the series.
Wood – Five
Went wicketless, yet massively commendable to even take part considering his time away.
Australia Player Ratings
Weatherald – Six
Debutant had tough luck to face to Jofra Archer early on, later contributed in the stunning run chase.
Usman Khawaja – 3
A bizarre match. Did not look fully fit and spent time off the field. Took several key catches in the slips, but also looked immobile in the cordon. Earns a point due to his injury which enabled Head to bat as opener.
Marnus Labuschagne – 7
A successful return to the team. Handled England's pressure more effectively than others initially, and supported Travis Head later.
Smith – Five
Seemed out of sorts early on. Needless before the game attack about Panesar.
Travis Head – 9
Perhaps churlish not to award the full 10, however he attempted a rather poor shot initially. His second-innings hundred was an historic innings.
Green – 5
Took the key wicket of Pope early. Rattled by one Mark Wood bouncer during his innings. Barely needed later in the match.
Carey – Five
Tried a counter-attack versus the English attack on the first evening. Tidy behind the stumps.
Starc – 9
Carried the burden of the bowling in the absence of Cummins and Josh Hazlewood with the first Aussie Ashes series 10-for in 20 years.
Boland – Six
Below top form initially. Improved in the second to spark the England batting collapse.
Doggett – Six
Steady first appearance. Quite capable stand-in for the main bowlers and Hazlewood.
Nathan Lyon – Two
Almost an onlooker during a game controlled by pace. Possibly suffered an injury after being hit by Wood.
Connected Topics
- English Men's Cricket Team
- Australian Team
- The Ashes
- The Sport
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