Outstanding Head Hundred Puts the Aussies Sailing Towards Victory Over the English
English Team Player Evaluations
Crawley – 1
Tipped in Australian pitches but managed only the fourth Ashes pair by an English opener in just a handful of deliveries.
Ben Duckett – 5
Made beginnings during each knock. His dismissal on Saturday marked the point when it began to unravel for the English side.
Ollie Pope – Six
Appears better for adjustments to his technique. Opening match in the series is usually his strongest, then it goes downhill. The team require him to build on this.
Root – 1
Far off that first hundred on Australian soil. England require the nous from their star performer if they are to come back from this defeat.
Brook – 5
His fifty during the initial knock was lively, yet important. Poor shot in the second innings.
Stokes – 6
Returned from injury with a five-for, though appeared short of rhythm with the bat. Struggled in the field in the face of Head's aggressive batting.
Jamie Smith – 4
Could have the game to succeed in Australia, yet must to smarten up. Will likely face a lot of bouncers going forward.
Gus Atkinson – 5
Part of the strong English first-innings bowling effort and tried to contribute while batting later on. Part of the bowlers that collapsed during the match.
Brydon Carse – 5
Comparable to the previous, with added spice of being taken apart by Head.
Jofra Archer – 5
Looked awesome with the ball in the first innings and proved the top among struggling teammates in the second. Could still play a key role on the series.
Mark Wood – Five
Finished wicketless, but massively commendable to just get on the field given his time away.
Australia Individual Evaluations
Weatherald – Six
First-timer had tough luck to be exposed against Archer in the first innings, then played his part in the stunning pursuit of runs.
Usman Khawaja – Three
An unusual Test. Appeared fully fit and spent periods off the pitch. Held on to a couple of important catches at slip, but also seemed slow in the field. Earns a point due to his injury which enabled Head to open.
Labuschagne – 7
An effective return to the side. Handled England's bowling pressure more effectively than most in the first innings, and backed up Travis Head later.
Smith – Five
Seemed off form early on. Unnecessary before the game comments on Monty Panesar.
Head – 9
Possibly churlish not to get a perfect score, but he played a pretty poor stroke in the first innings. His second-innings century was an historic innings.
Cameron Green – 5
Claimed the crucial dismissal of Ollie Pope early. Rattled by a Wood short ball during his innings. Barely needed in the second half.
Alex Carey – Five
Tried a counter-attack versus England's bowlers early in the match. Neat with the gloves.
Starc – 9
Shouldered the weight of the attack in the absence of Pat Cummins and Hazlewood achieving the first Aussie Ashes series 10-wicket haul in 20 years.
Scott Boland – Six
Below his best initially. Improved in the second to trigger the England batting collapse.
Brendan Doggett – Six
Steady first appearance. Quite capable replacement for Cummins and Hazlewood.
Lyon – Two
Almost a spectator during a game controlled by fast bowling. Maybe picked up a knock when struck by Mark Wood.
Connected Topics
- English National Team
- Australian Team
- Ashes Series
- Cricket
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