For a match which was only afforded three-and-a-bit days of play, that was an outstanding Test.
The usual suspects stood up for Australia once again in the draw – Steve Smith and Pat Cummins were both superb at Lord’s – but there are some serious issues around the top order.
Here’s how each of the Aussies rated in the second Test of the Ashes.
David Warner: 1/10
Warner had a proper shocker at Lord’s. A grand total of eight runs was bad enough, but he also was shaky in the corden, dropping a couple of chances and not getting his positioning right when Nathan Lyon was bowling. Will likely keep his spot for Headingley, but desperately needs a score.
(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Cameron Bancroft: 2
Another superb short-leg catch, another pair of failures with the bat. Bancroft might have got one which shot low in the second innings, but there’s little we’ve seen which suggested he would have made a significant contribution anyway. Without the weight of past Test runs to back him up, the opener should make way for Marcus Harris.
Usman Khawaja: 4
Khawaja’s 36 was the second-highest score in Australia’s first innings, although that probably says more about the team effort as a whole than Khawaja’s contribution. While he doesn’t look in bad form, and he copped a Jofra Archer jaffa in the second dig, the left-hander needs to make more of his stays at the crease, particularly if Steve Smith misses the next Test.
Steve Smith: 9
Another superb knock from Smith with little support from his teammates, he looked immovable until Archer shortened him up with some excellent fast bowling. All the focus now will, of course, be on whether Smith will be able to play the next Test. If he can’t, Australia’s chances of retaining the Ashes drop significantly.
(Photo by Visionhaus)
Travis Head: 5
After failing in the first innings, Head showed why he’s valued so much in the Australian camp with a fine match-saving effort on Day 5. That said, he owes Jason Roy a few beers for dropping him early on.
Matthew Wade: 1
What a come-down from the last Test. After his comeback century at Edgbaston, Wade was out cheaply twice at Lord’s, flashing at a Stuart Broad ball which moved away in the first and prodding tamely at a Jack Leach delivery in the second.
Tim Paine: 2
Paine made a few handy runs in the first innings, but it was a poor match for the skipper. Dropped a catch he should have snaffled early on Day 2, his use (and non-use) of DRS made Joel Wilson look the best umpire who’s ever walked the planet, then played a horrid pull with just seven overs left last night to give England a proper chance of victory.
(Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Pat Cummins: 8
Thankfully for Paine, Cummins was the next man in, capping off his excellent Test with a solid knock to earn a draw. With six wickets for the match, plus a handy 20 with the bat in the first innings, he was clearly one of Australia’s best.
Peter Siddle: 5
It’s a good thing Peter Siddle knows how to take a caught and bowled. The Victorian now has four catches dropped off his bowling this series, hardly a fair return for someone bowling so well. Still, was a little expensive on Day 5 as Ben Stokes targetted him, and is in danger of being dropped for Headingley.
Nathan Lyon: 4
England clearly had a plan to go after him and play him off the back foot where possible, and Lyon left Lord’s with just the one wicket as a result. Didn’t bowl badly, though, and he would have had a far better return had Australia got their use of DRS right.
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Josh Hazlewood: 6
Superb in his first Test innings since January, Hazlewood used the (everyone take a drink) Lord’s slope perfectly on the opening morning to claim the first three wickets of the match. Couldn’t manage any more for the remainder, but still a good return from the New South Welshman.
Marnus Labuschagne: 7
The first man to be put into a Test under the new concussion sub rule, it’s going to take a long time before we see a better contribution from a mid-match replacement. Labuschagne’s gutsy 59 was critical as Australia earned a draw, and was only ended by what has inevitably been termed a ‘controversial catch’, but what could also be called ‘not actually out’.
Tom
Guest
Well, Marnus was the Qld U12 captain so he is clearly qualified.
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
I see they played 4 quicks last time they played there.
Peter Warrington
Guest
no
Peter Warrington
Guest
i also am a Tasmanian I like him he dropped a doddle last game some in the summer lets byes through made bad reviews is a modest captain is only a third of the batsman Carey is he was unlucky in his early career, ridiculously lucky to get the recall, a strange decision as captain, has done an admirable job that will never be forgotten, and is now holding the team back. that's my take on it it's not personal, just hard-headed - from my perspective.
Peter warrington
Guest
the new Redpath. next skipper?
Peter Warrington
Guest
that really was where Johnno got people. his not quite short stuff was hands-head high. not many Starcesque ballooning bouncers that bother nobody except the longstops.
Mike B
Guest
I think Siddle will be good in Headingley and I think Hazelwood became ineffectual beyond the first day of the second Test. I quite like the suggestion of Paine opening, which he has done for Tasmania. Of course we couldn't open with Paine and Bancroft - somebody has to score runs. LB has shown enough, he has to play. I'm liking this: Khawaja Paine LB Smith Head Warner Wade Patto Cummins Siddle Lyon
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
One missed catch in the game. Yes he dropped a hard catch to his right, but the ball was moving around, he started to move leg side and was off balance so could not kick back to get the catch. Had six catches so not bad in the 16 English wickets. Yes the hook shot was not called for but Denley took a brilliant catch. To be asked to captain the side when the ball tampering occured was a tough ask. He also has to wicket keep and make decisions as captain and be expected to score runs. Yes I am a Tasmanian and proud of what he has done.
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
Is headingly where we were all out for 70 odd 4 years ago?
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
Cummins seems more effective as a first change bowler at the moment. A bit like Rabada for SA.
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
He also said there was uncertainty as to what the ball would do, either skid or bounce. Looked like smith was going to pull it and it bounced too high and he bailed on the shot.
Tom
Guest
One think that people seem to not have noticed is that he was actually deliberately farming the strike to take on Archer and letting Bancroft and Head stayed down the other end. Even turned down a 3 on one occasion to stay at the strikers end. The balls on the lad.
Peter Warrington
Guest
When will Paine’s Missed sitters start to enter folklore?
Peter Warrington
Guest
Not quite but ish He was so good before wsc we sometimes played 5 bowlers notwithstanding Walters and Chappell being excellent part time seam options.
Mika
Roar Rookie
Man it looked so FAST off the track. Basically unplayable. Bearing in mind he also collected the best batsman in the world flush on the neck when he was on 80. Seeing that has to be a nightmare for the Aussie batsmen. Pietersen admitted after 2014 Ashes that the fear of Johnson's pace did their heads in. Archer hits a batsman once every 10 overs. If you're out there long enough, it will be you.
Mika
Roar Rookie
Warner is shot. He clearly had plans to execute a new, careful game to improve his England record. It was clear in the WC - and worked there. He's put away the cross bat shots - but his body won't follow his brain. He's a muddled mess right now. Here's my radical solution for Headlingly, assuming Smith plays. Warner AND Bancroft dropped. Harris & Khawaja to open. Could not be any worse - Khawaja been in so early he might as well take the new ball. Labuschagne at 3 Smith 4 Head 5 Wade 6 Starc in for Siddle. Sidds has done a great job as usual, but I think the Aussies need to maintain some semblance of pace supremacy. A tall 150kmh lefty who can knock blocks off fits that bill. Hazelwood to become the stock bowler. And Sidds gets rest to come back if needed. And I would not be too worried if Patto came in for Cummins for one game. Pat's been great but also bowled a sh*t tonne of overs.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Yep. Last night was a bit out of the ordinary last night, though he also "threw" his wicket away in the First Test. I think he has game awareness, but feels the pressure to push on with the scoring rate at 7, but he just isn't suited to scoring against the flow/tempo of the game. I'd rather he shut up shop at 3 (very opposite to traditional thinking of your No.3, but typically number 3 comes in at 1 down for quite a few and then rams home the advantage; we aren't having that luxury this series) and wore out the ball/bowlers, leaving the more free-flowing batters to follow. If he has to bat, which he does, use his best advantage (defence) to combat our most problematic issue (England's new ball bowlers).
PeteB
Roar Rookie
I only remember Marsh post WSC when I don’t think he ever made more than 20 for 5 years.
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
I do somewhat agree, but I think it also showed he was happy to not just block and do nothing.
maverick
Roar Rookie
"If we need to sandbag our innings, he’s the man." That's what he needed to do yesterday. But he wanted to boss it which wasn't needed.He just doesn't have the common sense or game awareness needed to succeed at test level.