Hazlewood, Khawaja stand out amid Australia's woes
Marks out of ten for each of Australia's players, following their 2-1 series loss against South Africa at home
Daniel Brettig in Adelaide
28-Nov-2016
It took a mid-series rejig to get Australia's players in their groove • Cricket Australia/Getty Images
9
Josh Hazlewood (three matches, 17 wickets at 22.05)
The series' leading wicket-taker on either side, Hazlewood stepped up admirably in the absence of Peter Siddle and in circumstances where Mitchell Starc was not yet fully grooved into Test match rhythm. His performance in Hobart would have been far more influential on the outcome of the match had Australia scraped an even half-respectable total, and in Adelaide he again showed his affinity for the pink ball and seaming conditions.
The series' leading wicket-taker on either side, Hazlewood stepped up admirably in the absence of Peter Siddle and in circumstances where Mitchell Starc was not yet fully grooved into Test match rhythm. His performance in Hobart would have been far more influential on the outcome of the match had Australia scraped an even half-respectable total, and in Adelaide he again showed his affinity for the pink ball and seaming conditions.
Usman Khawaja (three matches, 314 runs at 52.33)
No-one made more runs in the series than Khawaja, who played a major innings in each Test and, with the exception of an ordinary stroke to be dismissed in the second innings in Hobart, showed a real desire to dig in. While Khawaja prefers to go on the attack with the bat, his willingness to put his cover drive away in Adelaide - where he got a century after opening - was a testament to his growing maturity and reliability.
No-one made more runs in the series than Khawaja, who played a major innings in each Test and, with the exception of an ordinary stroke to be dismissed in the second innings in Hobart, showed a real desire to dig in. While Khawaja prefers to go on the attack with the bat, his willingness to put his cover drive away in Adelaide - where he got a century after opening - was a testament to his growing maturity and reliability.
8
Mitchell Starc (three matches, 14 wickets at 30.14, one half-century)
While not at his best, Starc performed more than creditably in circumstances where any other bowler may not have been asked to play: a matter of weeks after sustaining a deep cut to the left leg. That Starc did was a measure of how valuable he is seen as by the selectors - his ability to get early wickets when swinging the new ball a priceless commodity. Also made his first significant score in more than a year - the kind of contribution he is capable of producing more often.
While not at his best, Starc performed more than creditably in circumstances where any other bowler may not have been asked to play: a matter of weeks after sustaining a deep cut to the left leg. That Starc did was a measure of how valuable he is seen as by the selectors - his ability to get early wickets when swinging the new ball a priceless commodity. Also made his first significant score in more than a year - the kind of contribution he is capable of producing more often.
7
Steven Smith (three matches, 212 runs at 42.40)
Did not have his best match in Perth and was then left stranded by the failures of other batsmen around him in Hobart, but Smith emerged as the kind of leader Australia needs with his passionate call to arms in the wake of the Bellerive defeat. He then played a large part in drafting a new group of players for Adelaide, and led them adeptly with the bat and in the field. Will hope for hundreds and victories against Pakistan.
Did not have his best match in Perth and was then left stranded by the failures of other batsmen around him in Hobart, but Smith emerged as the kind of leader Australia needs with his passionate call to arms in the wake of the Bellerive defeat. He then played a large part in drafting a new group of players for Adelaide, and led them adeptly with the bat and in the field. Will hope for hundreds and victories against Pakistan.
Peter Handscomb (one match, 55 runs at 55.00)
A sprightly innings of 54 on debut, a vital catch to remove Faf du Plessis in the second innings and the scoring of the winning runs to wrap up the Test: Handscomb's entry to international cricket was hugely impressive. His batting method is far from textbook, but he has strong awareness of his game, and was chosen when in-form, which contributed to his willingness to attack the bowlers when he came in to bat.
A sprightly innings of 54 on debut, a vital catch to remove Faf du Plessis in the second innings and the scoring of the winning runs to wrap up the Test: Handscomb's entry to international cricket was hugely impressive. His batting method is far from textbook, but he has strong awareness of his game, and was chosen when in-form, which contributed to his willingness to attack the bowlers when he came in to bat.
Jackson Bird (one match, three wickets at 37.00)
Should have played in Hobart; then chosen narrowly ahead of Chadd Sayers for Adelaide. Bird responded with several canny spells and the critical wicket of Quinton de Kock on the final day of the series. Still has a tendency to float the ball up to the bat early on, but becomes a far more difficult proposition once he measures his ideal length for a given surface.
Should have played in Hobart; then chosen narrowly ahead of Chadd Sayers for Adelaide. Bird responded with several canny spells and the critical wicket of Quinton de Kock on the final day of the series. Still has a tendency to float the ball up to the bat early on, but becomes a far more difficult proposition once he measures his ideal length for a given surface.
Shaun Marsh (one match, 78 runs at 39.00)
Set a platform with David Warner in Perth that should have been capitalised upon by the rest of the order. But history shows it wasn't, and also that a re-broken finger kept Marsh out of the rest of the series. His return date to the game is yet to be unveiled, but he has every chance to return to the team when fit - although perhaps not as an opener.
Set a platform with David Warner in Perth that should have been capitalised upon by the rest of the order. But history shows it wasn't, and also that a re-broken finger kept Marsh out of the rest of the series. His return date to the game is yet to be unveiled, but he has every chance to return to the team when fit - although perhaps not as an opener.
6
David Warner (three matches, 236 runs at 39.33)
Started and ended his series with a pair of fine innings but did little in between. Admitting himself that he left a few runs out in the middle at the WACA Ground when first man out after a long partnership with Shaun Marsh, Warner also fell prey to a pair of run-outs and a questionable choice of shot in the first innings in Hobart. That said, his value to the team was underlined by the swift way in which he set about the fourth innings target in Adelaide.
Started and ended his series with a pair of fine innings but did little in between. Admitting himself that he left a few runs out in the middle at the WACA Ground when first man out after a long partnership with Shaun Marsh, Warner also fell prey to a pair of run-outs and a questionable choice of shot in the first innings in Hobart. That said, his value to the team was underlined by the swift way in which he set about the fourth innings target in Adelaide.
Matt Renshaw (one match, 44 runs at 44.00)
While he did not make a major score, Renshaw's debut contribution was still highly promising. Putting a high value on his wicket and showing a strong awareness for where his off stump is, he demonstrated the characteristics of a career opening batsman with a game devised for the long form. Has plenty of latent power in his long arms, something the Australian public can expect to see more of in the future as his confidence grows.
While he did not make a major score, Renshaw's debut contribution was still highly promising. Putting a high value on his wicket and showing a strong awareness for where his off stump is, he demonstrated the characteristics of a career opening batsman with a game devised for the long form. Has plenty of latent power in his long arms, something the Australian public can expect to see more of in the future as his confidence grows.
5
Matthew Wade (one match, four runs, six catches and a stumping)
Seven dismissals for the match, a low score and a veritable mixtape of yapping from behind the stump mic summed up a mixed bag for Wade on his return to the Test team for the first time in more than three years. Showed some improvement to his wicket-keeping standards, even if a more natural gloveman would have gone for a catch Wade left to Renshaw's left at slip off Hashim Amla in the second innings. Finished the match on the winning side, as is his recent habit as captain of Victoria.
Seven dismissals for the match, a low score and a veritable mixtape of yapping from behind the stump mic summed up a mixed bag for Wade on his return to the Test team for the first time in more than three years. Showed some improvement to his wicket-keeping standards, even if a more natural gloveman would have gone for a catch Wade left to Renshaw's left at slip off Hashim Amla in the second innings. Finished the match on the winning side, as is his recent habit as captain of Victoria.
Peter Nevill (two matches, 92 runs at 30.66, seven catches)
Victim of a harsh selection call, Nevill responded in the best way possible by clouting a big hundred for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield. Up to that point he had kept well and also fought hard with the bat in Perth. Ultimately he was left out in the expectation that Wade will be more capable of making hundreds down the batting order, an assertion that is yet to be proven.
Victim of a harsh selection call, Nevill responded in the best way possible by clouting a big hundred for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield. Up to that point he had kept well and also fought hard with the bat in Perth. Ultimately he was left out in the expectation that Wade will be more capable of making hundreds down the batting order, an assertion that is yet to be proven.
Peter Siddle (one match, three wickets at 32.66)
Asked to play in Perth despite limited preparation, Siddle bowled well to begin with but flagged as the Test went on, before scans showed a recurrence of his previous back trouble. Effectively he paid the price for minimal rest between innings due to one of Australia's strong batting collapses. Returned to the team in an advisory capacity in the lead-up to Adelaide, which showed his presence of mind as a team man and senior player.
Asked to play in Perth despite limited preparation, Siddle bowled well to begin with but flagged as the Test went on, before scans showed a recurrence of his previous back trouble. Effectively he paid the price for minimal rest between innings due to one of Australia's strong batting collapses. Returned to the team in an advisory capacity in the lead-up to Adelaide, which showed his presence of mind as a team man and senior player.
Nathan Lyon (three matches, six wickets at 57.66)
Bowled well on the first day of the series in a functioning attack, but was then exposed by the poor displays of the batsmen and entered a prolonged drought without wickets. Lyon was extremely close to being dropped for Adelaide, before an injury to Steve O'Keefe reprieved him and set him on the path to a more productive finish, again in a situation where the batsmen had done their jobs. Worked well, as ever, with the spin coach John Davison, who had pre-planned a visit for the Adelaide Test.
Bowled well on the first day of the series in a functioning attack, but was then exposed by the poor displays of the batsmen and entered a prolonged drought without wickets. Lyon was extremely close to being dropped for Adelaide, before an injury to Steve O'Keefe reprieved him and set him on the path to a more productive finish, again in a situation where the batsmen had done their jobs. Worked well, as ever, with the spin coach John Davison, who had pre-planned a visit for the Adelaide Test.
4
Adam Voges (two matches, 30 runs at 7.50)
Not officially dropped but unavailable due to a sickening blow to the head in the Sheffield Shield, Voges will find it hard to get back into the side now that the selectors' tact has changed. Prolifically as he batted last summer, Voges had not passed 50 in any one of Australia's five consecutive losses before the team was rejigged for Adelaide. This slid his average back to more reasonable territory, though at a tick over 61 it remains the highest of anyone - apart from Bradman - who played more than 20 innings.
Not officially dropped but unavailable due to a sickening blow to the head in the Sheffield Shield, Voges will find it hard to get back into the side now that the selectors' tact has changed. Prolifically as he batted last summer, Voges had not passed 50 in any one of Australia's five consecutive losses before the team was rejigged for Adelaide. This slid his average back to more reasonable territory, though at a tick over 61 it remains the highest of anyone - apart from Bradman - who played more than 20 innings.
Mitchell Marsh (one match, 26 runs at 13.00, two wickets at 50.00)
Australia's project player for more than two years, Marsh was dropped having not yet lived up to his rich promise. Ultimately his batting was unable to rise to the standard required of a Test match No. 6, perhaps not surprising given the fact he has only scored one Sheffield Shield hundred in his life. Now returned to domestic ranks, Marsh will be looking to hone a method that can work for him and for Australia in the future.
Australia's project player for more than two years, Marsh was dropped having not yet lived up to his rich promise. Ultimately his batting was unable to rise to the standard required of a Test match No. 6, perhaps not surprising given the fact he has only scored one Sheffield Shield hundred in his life. Now returned to domestic ranks, Marsh will be looking to hone a method that can work for him and for Australia in the future.
3
Callum Ferguson (one match, four runs)
An eventful and dizzying Test debut after years of waiting was followed by swift demotion to state ranks. Run out in the first innings, then done by variable bounce in the second, Ferguson arguably deserved another chance to prove himself at Test level but fell afoul of a change in selection philosophy.
An eventful and dizzying Test debut after years of waiting was followed by swift demotion to state ranks. Run out in the first innings, then done by variable bounce in the second, Ferguson arguably deserved another chance to prove himself at Test level but fell afoul of a change in selection philosophy.
Joe Mennie (one match, one wicket at 85.00)
Bowled serviceably on debut in Hobart and took a wicket, but was unable to have enough of an impact on a surface that should have suited his seam-up style and was then discarded for Adelaide. It is open to debate whether Mennie is the leading seam bowler for South Australia - Chadd Sayers and Daniel Worrall also have their claims - and subsequent opportunities may be slim.
Bowled serviceably on debut in Hobart and took a wicket, but was unable to have enough of an impact on a surface that should have suited his seam-up style and was then discarded for Adelaide. It is open to debate whether Mennie is the leading seam bowler for South Australia - Chadd Sayers and Daniel Worrall also have their claims - and subsequent opportunities may be slim.
Joe Burns (one match, one run)
Burns' brief return to the Test team after he was dropped in Sri Lanka showed signs of mental scars from the previous tour. He certainly did not look technically or mentally capable of helping to turn around the Australian batting slide. He did, however, show his good character and generosity by calling Warner to tell him about his fellow Queenslander Renshaw ahead of the 20-year-old's debut.
Burns' brief return to the Test team after he was dropped in Sri Lanka showed signs of mental scars from the previous tour. He certainly did not look technically or mentally capable of helping to turn around the Australian batting slide. He did, however, show his good character and generosity by calling Warner to tell him about his fellow Queenslander Renshaw ahead of the 20-year-old's debut.
Nic Maddinson (one match, no runs)
A duck on Test debut is no bad thing - just ask Graham Gooch, owner of a pair in his first Test but far more success later on. Madison got a good one from Kagiso Rabada but will need to be more vigilant in defence next time around. Though valued as a potential match winner, he may turn out to be the makeweight for the return of Shaun Marsh whenever he is fit.
A duck on Test debut is no bad thing - just ask Graham Gooch, owner of a pair in his first Test but far more success later on. Madison got a good one from Kagiso Rabada but will need to be more vigilant in defence next time around. Though valued as a potential match winner, he may turn out to be the makeweight for the return of Shaun Marsh whenever he is fit.
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig