Australia
Cameron Bancroft - 7.5
The debutant had a disappointing first innings of his Test career, dismissed for five by Stuart Broad, but showed poise and skill to guide Australia home with a second innings total of 82 not out. Was also very impressive fielding under the bat at short leg.
David Warner - 7.5
Followed a similar path to his opening partner, missing out in the first innings before cruising the Aussies home to a first Test victory with a dominant 87 not out.
Usman Khawaja - 2.5
Khawaja's apparent inability to negate spin was exposed once again at the Gabba, with his only innings finishing abruptly on 11 runs after off-spinner Moeen Ali captured him LBW. Didn't have the opportunity to redeem himself after Warner and Bancroft went unbeaten in the second innings to guide Australia home.
Steve Smith - 10
The Aussie skipper was dominant in the first Test of the Ashes summer, notching up a game-saving and ultimately game-winning first innings knock of 141 not out. His catching was clinical throughout in another standout performance.
Peter Handscomb - 4
Handscomb struggled with the bat on his way to 14 runs before being trapped LBW by James Anderson. But like Khawaja he didn't get the chance to redeem his efforts. His catching was impressive throughout the contest however, taking four grabs in the first Test.
Shaun Marsh - 7.5
Marsh's first innings total of 51 on the scorecard doesn't tell the full story of his impact in the game, stemming the flow of a rampant English bowling spell that could have won the game for the visiting side with a 99-run partnership with Smith. Will be disappointed not to go on with his start, but did enough to keep his place in the side.
Tim Paine - 6
Paine's stumping of Moeen Ali during England's second innings was one of the biggest moments of the game and a piece of brilliance for Australia's new 'keeper. Dropped a difficult chance and missed out with the bat, but otherwise had a solid return to Test cricket.
Mitchell Starc - 7
Starc's Ashes series started with a bang, taking Cook's wicket early on day one, but was otherwise underwhelming against England's recognised batsmen. Took six wickets for the match, albeit mainly tail-enders, but was crucial in ensuring England's totals didn't get out of reach.
Pat Cummins - 8
Had an impressive first Test match in Australia, taking crucial wickets in the first innings before producing a crucial batting partnership with Smith to give Australia a first innings lead. Bowled with aggression and pace, and finally looks close to full health.
Josh Hazlewood - 7.5
Bowled superbly in the second innings to skittle the visitors for 195, taking two game-changing wickets before the close of play on day four. Failed to threaten in the first innings.
Nathan Lyon - 9
'Gary' was at his very best in Brisbane, bowling beautifully in both innings without getting fully rewarded, taking the four wickets. Pulled off an incredible run out in the first innings, a pivotal moment in the Test.
England
Alastair Cook - 1
The former skipper failed to fire in both innings, caught in the slips for two and caught on the boundary for seven. The form of dismissals are worrying signs for England, with the opener clearly lacking confidence with the bat.
Mark Stoneman - 7
Stoneman produced a defiant innings of 53 in his first dig, keeping a confident Australian attack at bay for 159 balls, before making 27 runs in the second. Was solid in his role without going on to make big scores in either attempts, a common theme for England in the first Test.
James Vince - 7
Was looking like making his maiden Test hundred with a superb stroke-playing display on day one before being run out by Nathan Lyon on 83. Failed to deliver in the second innings.
Joe Root - 5
The English skipper had a disappointing start to his Ashes campaign, with scores of 15 and 51 with the bat accompanying figures of 1-10 and 0-17 with the ball. His work with ball proved handy, however, his inability to score big in either innings didn't give his side much of a chance to see off the hosts. Captaincy earned plaudits for his positive and innovative field placing.
Dawid Malan - 4.5
Was solid in the first Test with a decent innings of 56 runs in the first innings, before being captured by Nathan Lyon in the second when his side needed him most. Struggled to face Lyon on the bouncy Gabba wicket.
Moeen Ali - 7.5
Ali was one of the better performers for England in Brisbane, producing scores of 38 and 40, while taking two wickets in the first innings before succumbing to a finger injury. Controversially dismissed in the second innings by a Paine stumping when his partnership with Bairstow started looking dangerous for Australia.
Jonny Bairstow - 5
Bairstow's game was filled with highs and lows, with brain-fade dismissals and off-field headlines mixed with brilliant wicketkeeping. Scored nine and 42 before falling to undisciplined shots on both occasions, but took two great catches to dismiss Bancroft and Paine in the first innings.
Chris Woakes - 2
Woakes had an underwhelming Test match, only taking one wicket. Didn't assist Broad and Anderson with ball in hand as England wanted and failed to make an impact with the bat at number eight.
Stuart Broad - 7
Broad was damaging in the first innings, taking 3-49 including the wickets of Bancroft, Marsh and Starc. Failed to strike in the second innings along with the rest of the English attack, but played an overall solid Test match.
Jake Ball - 2
After taking the scalp of David Warner on day two, Ball was irrelevant for the rest of the contest, failing to take another wicket or contribute with the bat. Leaked runs at an alarming rate as the Aussie batsmen looked more than comfortable facing his bowling.
James Anderson - 6.5
Anderson was as economical as ever in the first Test, going at 1.72 runs per over in the first innings and 2.45 in the second. Took the wickets of Handscomb and Paine, but didn't get much assistance outside of Broad.
