Michael Clarke’s first tour as Test captain and Tim Nielsen’s last as coach has been successful, with the first Test win enough to secure the series.
They used 13 players in the three Tests, with injuries and family priorities forcing Ryan Harris and Ricky Ponting out of the third and second Tests respectively.
Overall the tour deserves at least a seven out of 10, particularly as it has moved Australia into fourth place on the ICC rankings, and has thrown up further options in the top order and the bowling attack.
Shane Watson (6/10)
A disappointing tour for Watson by his standards.
He struggled with the bat against the swinging ball, and often couldn’t make the decision whether to attack or defend. He fell at least twice to soft dismissals, and never looked overly settled at the crease in any innings, failing to reach 50 in his five hits.
The slow and low wickets may have played their part in this, and I think he will fare much better in South Africa on quicker tracks.
On the other hand, his bowling was superb, getting swing and movement off the pitch and providing a perfect foil to the main three quicks.
This option will prove vital in the future, as it will ensure at least one, and in some cases two spinners, will be able to function in the line-up.
Phil Hughes (7/10)
While his numbers don’t look spectacular, this series said a lot about Hughes’ grit and determination as a batsman.
His second innings 28 in the first Test was worth a lot more than it showed, and proved he can fight it out in tough conditions, even with experienced batsman falling around him.
While the second Test didn’t go too well for him, he murdered the Sri Lankan quicks in the final Test, albeit on a road, and cemented his spot for some time.
Again, the wickets in South Africa should be more comfortable for him, particularly on the back-foot.
Shaun Marsh (8/10)
A wonderful start for Shaun Marsh, with a brilliant hundred on debut and then backed up by an 80 in the first innings of the third Test.
There were some people, who had their doubts about him as a Test player, but he is another player who, Test cricket seems to get the best out of.
He even forced a re-shuffle, with Ricky Ponting dropped to number four to accommodate him!
Hopefully, he can continue this form into the summer, and be a big scorer at the top of the innings, while placing pressure on Hughes to get the best out of both of them.
Ricky Ponting (6/10)
We never got to see the best of Punter with the bat, after what we had seen in fits and spurts through the one-day series.
He was solid enough in the first Test, before again falling to the dreaded hook shot, missed the second Test after flying home for the birth of his second child, and played his part in the third Test with solid contributions.
His fielding was brilliant throughout the series, and the move away from the slips for him to the covers will improve the Australians in the field ten-fold. Hopefully we are yet to see the best of Ricky.
Michael Clarke (7/10)
He may have struggled a little with the bat until the final day of the series, but his gritty innings in that final Test, and the first Test, showed he will lead by example as captain.
He also showed plenty of attacking intent against the spinners, which has been missing a bit lately.
His captaincy was top notch throughout the series, attacking at all times possible, and knowing how to use his bowlers, both front-line and part-timers, to perfection.
Hopefully, his first series as captain is also the makings of a good future for Australian cricket.
Michael Hussey (10/10)
This time last year, the majority of people were calling for his head, but now he is the toast of the Australian team.
463 runs at 92.6 is spectacular numbers away from home, and with three man-of-the-match awards, and the obvious selection for man-of-the-series, Hussey did it all on this tour.
Hundreds in the second and third Tests, put Australia in a commanding position, while he also chipped in with a couple of wickets right on cue.
The form batsman in Australia, leading into South Africa, and he seems to be getting better with age.
Brad Haddin (5/10)
A fairly disappointing tour for Haddin with the bat, saved by some good performances with the gloves.
While he has a mortgage on the wicket-keeping spot until he sees fit to leave, Australians have come to expect more with the bat from their keepers, and Haddin is a much better batsman than he showed on this tour.
He has had to bat with the tail on many occasions, but this is one thing Adam Gilchrist did very well, and something Haddin needs to do better.
Behind the stumps he was good though, with some wonderful takes, including a remarkable catch off the bowling of Trent Copeland in the final Test keeping up.
Mitchell Johnson (6/10)
There wasn’t anything, particularly special about his tour for Johnson, but he was much less erratic than previously and picked up important wickets.
His batting was a little down on the last few series, but his numbers – six wickets at 52 – don’t tell the full story of his bowling.
Unfortunately, his increased accuracy may have been at the expense of his unplayable balls, but hopefully, the bowler-friendly pitches in South Africa can re-hash memories of the outstanding spells he bowled the last time we toured there.
Peter Siddle (7/10)
Only played the last Test, but did an important job filling in for Ryan Harris.
When he bowled fuller in his spells he got wickets, and that is the key thing for Peter Siddle. If he can find the right mix of hitting the deck hard and intimidating, and then bowling fuller to pick up the wickets, he could find himself back in the starting eleven in not much time.
Trent Copeland (7/10)
While his numbers don’t look as impressive as critics would say, he did perform quite well in the conditions.
I would be keeping him in the side, if not just for his ability to bowl long spells, remain dangerous throughout and tie up an end at the same time.
A wicket off the second ball of Test cricket is some achievement, and one which will hopefully see Copeland retain his spot for the South African tour and Australian summer, where he could be very dangerous.
Nathan Lyon (6/10)
His first Test five-wicket haul had everyone excited, and while he bowled brilliantly on that day, his performances post that were a bit sketchy.
With Nathan Haurtiz still recovering, he will more than likely, retain his spot for the next tour, and quite rightfully so.
He has shown that spinning the ball is the most important thing for a spinner (imagine that!), and should be the end of the selector’s love affair with left-arm orthodox spinners who just roll the ball out (i.e. Michel Beer, Xavier Doherty).
Probably didn’t offer enough variety in the second and third Tests when he got tied down, and needed to switch more between over the wicket and round the wicket, but that is just part of the learning curve.
Ryan Harris (9/10)
Was clearly Australia’s best bowler in the first Two tests, before sitting out the third due to some hamstring tightness.
He has the best mix of hitting the deck, and being able to get the ball full and swing it, which saw him take plenty of wickets (11 at 14.54 for the series).
Harris will need to be nursed through the next period, as he is the key to the Australian bowling attack in South Africa and against the Indians this summer. Some handy contributions with the bat as well.
Usman Khawaja (5/10)
A really disappointing tour for Usman, after showing plenty of promise with a century in the tour match prior to the Tests.
More or less, he was a victim of the spectacular displays by Shaun Marsh, being dropped for the final Test when Ricky Ponting returned to the side.
He will have to go back to Shield cricket and continue to score the runs, but I firmly believe he is the future Australian number three (and not Marsh), and with time, he will become an outstanding Test batsman.
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