It’s been 18 long years, but with the fourth Test at Old Trafford won, Australia have finally retained the Ashes on English soil.
Some stern English resistance had Australian minds worried that Manchester might play host to a similar brand of miracle – or disappointment, depending on your point of view – to what we saw at Headingley, but a patient approach not seen at Leeds helped the side to a victory with more than ten overs in the bank.
Here’s how each of Tim Paine’s men rated.
David Warner: 0/10
Warner made his first ever pair in Tests, and it wasn’t even a surprise. Stuart Broad has a commanding hold over the left-hander from around the wicket, and it would be no surprise to see the former vice-captain dropped for the fifth Test.
(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Marcus Harris: 1
Harris did little to justify his selection over Usman Khawaja with scores of just 13 and 6 this Test. The left-hander hasn’t offered anything more than Cameron Bancroft since replacing him and, like Warner, faces a nervous wait to see if he’ll make the team for the Oval.
Marnus Labuschagne: 7
Another important half-century, his fourth on the trot, was followed in the second innings by Labuschagne’s first failure of the series when he was trapped in front for 11. The Queenslander came to the fore with the ball late on Day 5 though, ripping one out of the rough to remove Jack Leach.
Steve Smith: 10
There aren’t many words which can adequately describe just how dominant Smith has been this series. His double-century in the first innings was sublime, his 82 in the second – his lowest score of the series – simply arrogant in its disregard for the tricky pitch everyone else was struggling on. He could miss the final Test and still be the player of the series.
(Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Travis Head: 3
A lean Test for Head, who was targeted from around the stumps by England with great effect. He has some work to do to address that vulnerability, but in his defence he’s getting out to good balls rather than throwing his wicket away.
Matthew Wade: 5
Wade doesn’t leave Manchester with a hefty weight of runs, but his second-innings partnership with Smith was crucial. The two guided Australia out of a tricky situation and gave Tim Paine enough runs to declare late on Day 4 rather than waiting until the following morning.
Tim Paine: 8
After rightly copping plenty of criticism following the third Test, Paine turned in his best match of the series both as a batsman and captain. With the bat, he made an excellent half-century in the first innings before being undone by a Craig Overton peach, as well as chipping in with a far more swashbuckling 20-odd late on Day 4. Tactically, he got his bowling changes spot on during the nervy final day. Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke will both be remembered as better captains than Paine, but neither ever retained the Ashes on foreign soil as skipper. Paine deserves considerable praise for being the first man to do that since Steve Waugh.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Pat Cummins: 9
How Pat Cummins has never taken a five-wicket haul against England remains a mystery. He was outstanding again, an excellent wicketless spell on Day 3 laying the platform for Josh Hazlewood to snare a couple of scalps, before doing the damage himself with the first four wickets of the final innings.
Mitchell Starc: 7
Four wickets in his return to the side for Starc, who did his usual trick of mixing the unplayable with the uncontrolled. His dismissals of Jonny Bairstow in both innings were crucial breakthroughs, and he also made a bullish half-century to demoralise England early in the match.
Nathan Lyon: 5
Lyon has been below his best since the first innings at Lord’s. At Manchester, he was oftentimes too straight, although looked better after ripping one into Joe Denly’s gloves to end the opener’s stand.
Josh Hazlewood: 9
It seems absurd that Josh Hazlewood was overlooked for the first Test and there were genuine doubts about whether he should have been picked for the second. That has all been well and truly forgotten after another standout performance from the New South Welshman. He claimed four wickets in the first innings and two critical ones on the final day – the first to remove Jos Buttler, the second to get rid of Craig Overton, win the Test, and retain the Ashes.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
OUTside off. He has done it befire, he knows how to do it. But if he starts at middle n off he'll get hit to easily which he then defaults to too 'darty'. Outside off!!!!! With air= bounce and turn. ---- But bowling injured, as he was, shows he doesn't give easily. When fit he'll come back; probably better than ever.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Warner hasn't fronted up over the sandpaper. I think he needs to come clean (all puns are purely unintentional and and are only coincidental)
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The only problem with dropping Harris is has had only two tests on tour. Give him another round. I just think it messes with a young batsman's mind. I think Bancroft, sitting it out, will get him fired up when he next gets selected. I still believe Bancroft and Head have much to offer. Not everyone can do what Labs has done.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
The openers rate 0&1. Time for new openers...Khawaja and Bancroft
Zenn
Roar Rookie
Play all five quicks plus Labuschagne to manage the bowlers' workloads. The batmen are barely outscoring the bowlers anyway.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
I just submitted an article that touches on this topic
Mike B
Guest
Well, should he be playing in the 5th Test with a finger injury. A fast bowler wouldn't be selected with an injury of any sort so why should it be different for a spinner?
Marlin
Roar Rookie
yeah but given that it's onlu a scale of 1 to 10 the difference between an 8 and a 10 isn't that great. I thought Fidget was more than 2 points better than Paine
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Lyon was bowling with 4 fingers and that stifles flight. But more of an issue is he his loses nerve. You’ve gotta put yaself out there. You need a special hide to be a spinner.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I wouldn't go as far as saying he's been unlucky for three tests. Certainly for that last innings at Lord's. Headingly (second dig) and Manchester had more to do with not landing the ball as accurately as he had been earlier.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I'd be worried about leaving out a frontline spinner on a flat deck like the Oval. I guess it depends on how serious the injury is. If he can still tie down an end and keep pressure on then he'll be useful, even if he's lacking penetration. If it's too sore to let him do that then I guess they have to look at going with an all-pace attack.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Update on Lyon, General: https://www.cricket.com.au/news/nathan-lyon-finger-injury-australia-england-fourth-ashes-test-headingley-missed-run-out-old-trafford/2019-09-09
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Hi General, one thing I would say - and maybe its only relevant right now, at this stage of his career - but from what I've seen and from what I've read by selectors/those close to the Test team, Labuschagne is currently in the frame of mind to do anything, anywhere, anytime (Graeme Garden/Bill Oddie style). As a one off, I doubt bowling an extended spell and then backing it up with his batting would be detrimental to him at all - may very well spur him on by being a major contributor with both bat and ball! If his celebrations after sunset on the Old Trafford ground last night are anything to go by, he has energy in spades! Though I'm certain alcohol-imbued exuberance was in part to blame :thumbup:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't blame him if he was feeling a bit exhausted after a very long campaign starting in Feb - ODI's in India, ODI's in UAE, WC in England, Ashes in England. Maybe he's just hit the wall a bit after 7 months on the road (though he did seem to have a finger issue yesterday, which may be the final straw for him!)? Only 8 weeks till 5 almost back-to-back Tests; he (like others) could probably do with a break.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Hi James, he was struggling with his finger rather than form yesterday. Though no doubt the awkwardness of the grip affected his confidence. So agreed, he was good earlier in the series; he may just be carrying something that is going to affect his elite approach in the fifth Test. Would you play him or leave him out for four quicks with Labu (Smith?) support?
U
Roar Rookie
Being unlucky at times is cricket. But three tests in a row with a record of about 7 or 8 wickets at 50 isn’t up to it. He’s getting worse. One test out of the side might do him so good.
Tom
Guest
Also had Stokes plumb LBW when none of the quicks looked even slightly like getting him out.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Too many left handers in the batting line up for mine. Can't we find another right hand batsman ?
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Smith and Marius reliably came in for almost the whole series when the openers went cheaply and the ball was still new. Openers in every way but their position in the lineup.
RogerTA
Roar Rookie
I agree with your rating of 3 for Head but disagree regarding "in his defence..". He's getting out because he's playing across the line not because of particularly good deliveries.