England have lost the first Test of the Ashes heavily following some confusing selections and even more confusing decision to bat first.
Here are Zero Wicket’s player ratings for the tourists out of the first Test.
1. Haseeb Hameed - 4/10
Hameed did his job in one sense in that he was able to take the shine off the new ball in both innings, making a start and seeing out the first hour or so.
But he failed his job in another sense that he threw it away with both hands in both innings. He will need to be better in Adelaide.
2. Rory Burns - 2/10
A first ball duck in the first innings for Burns was followed up by just 13 in the second innings. A shocking Test for the English opener, who has become known for his gritty style.
England needed that in spades during a match they eventually comfortably lost, and the first ball wicket could well have set the tone for the entire series, with Burns all at sea in both foot work and shot selection.
3. Dawid Malan - 6/10
Malan’s six in the first innings, ended with a snick to Alex Carey, was a poor shot played in the worst circumstances as England attempted to build something of their innings.
His second inning contribution was important, which goes without saying and does save his Test to a certain extent, but being dismissed so cheaply in the first innings was an important moment for the English.
4. Joe Root - 5/10
Root’s Test could be written up virtually the same way Malan’s was. A critically timed duck in the first deck to Josh Hazlewood, before a save face innings in the second.
He deserves a point less though - as captain, it was his job to stand up following Malan’s departure in the second dig, but instead, he followed him back to the pavilion shortly afterwards.
5. Ben Stokes - 3/10
Stokes didn’t have his Test aided by an injury, but he was poor both before and after that.
He made just five on the opening day despite an attempt at digging in, before being taken to the cleaners at almost five and a half runs per over with the ball, and then followed that up with just 14 in the second Test.
Stokes is so important for England, and he will need to be a lot better in Adelaide.
6. Ollie Pope - 5/10
Pope was one of the few players who stood up during England’s disastrous first innings.
He would eventually fall for 35, the second top score of the innings, having put on a partnership of 52 with Jos Buttler, and one before that of 31 with Haseeb Hameed.
Without Pope’s contribution, things would have been a lot worse for the tourists, but his second innings performance - getting out coming in after a long partnership - started the rot again for England.
7. Jos Buttler - 5/10
As just mentioned, Buttler was involved in the biggest partnership of England’s first innings with Pope, and ended with the top score.
He kept solidly, and even managed 23 in the second innings, but his game left a lot to be desired.
8. Chris Woakes - 6/10
Woaked was able to provide a little bit for England, but not nearly as much as hoped.
He could well perform better with a swinging ball in Adelaide, although is likely to be dropped with James Anderson and Stuart Broad’s return. He finished with 2 for 76 from 25 in the first innings, before only bowling two overs in the second.
9. Ollie Robinson - 8/10
Robinson was the pick of the bowlers for England. He took 3 for 58 from 23 overs in the first innings, being the most economical and also taking the equal-most wickets alongside Mark Wood.
He has height and pace which made him dangerous, and his ability and battle with David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne was fun to watch.
10. Mark Wood - 7/10
Wood should be quite good in Australian conditions, and he was in patches against the Aussies during that first innings.
While he was good in patches, he was also a little on the inconsistent side, and it cost England at times. He did pick up three wickets though, so the danger of his bowling was there to see.
11. Jack Leach - 0/10
Not much good can be said about Leach’s Test, and it’s highly unlikely he will line up in Adelaide next week.
Finished with the figures of 1 for 102 off 13 overs, and that’s exactly how he bowled too as Australia’s batting line up took him to the cleaners.
