The Ashes, Third Test – Player Ratings
- Michael Oliver
- @MichaelOIiver
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While England entered this Ashes series as underdogs and without their star man Ben Stokes as a result of some untimely off-the-field controversy, not many predicted such a lame showing in the first three tests.
After dominant displays at Brisbane and Adelaide, Australia battled back after a strong first innings from England to turn the third test at Perth on its head to secure a day five win, despite the best efforts of the weather, and successfully regain the Ashes.
With the hosts on course for another historic whitewash on home soil, here’s how we rated the players on both sides during the third test.
Cameron Bancroft: 5
Only scored 25 on his home ground in Australia’s only innings, and had a crucial drop of Dawid Malan before he made his hundred, but is slowly looking more acclimatised to the test game.
Usman Khawaja: 6
His 50 came at a crucial time for Australia as he helped steady the ship after the openers were dismissed relatively cheaply.
Steve Smith
His match-winning 239 helped put Australia in the box seat and completely turned this test on its head.
Shaun Marsh: 5
Got another start with his 28 but was unable to kick-on in what has been a decent return to test cricket so far.
Mitchell Marsh: 9
His talent with the bat finally came to fruition with his magnificent 181 to partner Steve Smith which wrestled the game back into Australia’s favour. While he didn’t have great success with the ball, his job was mainly to hand the mainline seamers a rest and he performed that role well.
Tim Paine: 7
His 49 not out further frustrated the England bowlers but it’s Paine’s glovework that should take centre stage as the decision to go with him is paying dividends.
Mitchell Starc: 8
His four wickets in the first innings helped limit England when they looked on for a huge score.
Pat Cummins: 7
Australia’s biggest effort bowler. His four wickets for the match perhaps doesn’t do him justice. Again, his efforts batting with the tail added some vital runs.
Josh Hazlewood: 8
His ability to run up and bowl that tight, fifth stump line ball after ball just has a knack of generating wickets. With eight in the match and a wonderful five-wicket haul in the second innings, Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers in the third test.
Nathan Lyon: 6
Despite the pitch offering very little for the spinners, Lyon was always a danger, especially in the second innings.
Alastair Cook: 2
Another pair of early innings dismissals for Cook as he enters perhaps his worst run of form in his career and questions will be asked about whether he can battle back from this.
Mark Stoneman: 6
An impressive fifty in the first innings was derailed by a questionable dismissal on review as perhaps the short ball seems to be his biggest issue.
James Vince: 6
Another flashy fifth in the second innings gave England hope of salvaging a draw in the second innings, but still offers up his wicket far too cheaply.
Joe Root: 5
The England captain was again left wanting with the bat as he got in and got out in relatively quick fashion. Where Steve Smith has risen to the occasion, Root has not.
Dawid Malan: 9
Notched England’s first century of the series in the first innings as he played with a confidence and freedom that not many of his teammates showed. Looks to have established himself at number five.
Jonny Bairstow: 8
His fifth-wicket stand with Malan in the first innings is England’s best spell with the bat where they took the game to the Australian attack but unfortunately wasn’t supported well enough.
Moeen Ali: 4
Unable to find a rhythm with the ball and struggling mightily with the bat, Ali has been a passenger on this tour.
Chris Woakes: 5
The effort is there with Woakes but he’s not bowling enough deliveries that can be perceived as wicket-taking balls.
Craig Overton: 6
Players with heart and desire and it shows in his bowling. Took another two wickets in testing conditions against a confident batting line-up. Proving to be a capable stand-in for Ben Stokes.
Stuart Broad: 4
Has really gone off the boil in recent times and it tells in his stats as it’s been over a year since he last took three wickets in an innings. Perhaps change is needed.
James Anderson: 7
Another four wickets in the game for Anderson who is always England’s most impressive bowler. He can’t keep doing all the work.