Ashes 2017/18: Rating Australian and England players in second Test
Fresh from a one-sided encounter in Brisbane, the second Ashes Test in Adelaide was a very thrilling contest. Displaying their experience with the pink ball and day-night Test cricket, Australia registered a 120-run victory to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Also Read: Who Said What - World reacts as Australia take 2-0 lead
Australia seized on the big moments and prevented England from grabbing their opportunities. The Adelaide Oval provided an entertaining match for the audience and showed the class of certain players as well as weaknesses of others. Let us take a look at how each of them fared in the match.
Australia
Shaun Marsh - 9.5
Marsh batted superbly in the first innings to guide Australia to a strong total. The left-hander played several exquisite shots and also portrayed the right temperament required in the format. The 34-year old's patience and calmness rewarded him with a well-deserved century.
Nathon Lyon – 9
Australia's bowling has been one of their strengths in recent years. Nathan Lyon’s performances have been the cherry on top for most of those occasions. He continued to be a major threat for the left-handers. The off-spinner picked up eight wickets in the match. Apart from dismissing Cook twice, he also took an excellent catch to remove Moeen Ali for the fourth time in the series.
Mitchell Starc – 9
Starc bowled with sharp pace to end up with eight wickets in the match. He bowled in the right areas and troubled the England batsmen right throughout the game. The stunning reflex catch to remove Bairstow was one of the best moments in the Test. His handy 20 was the joint-highest score in Australia's second innings.
Josh Hazlewood – 8.5
One of the most consistent bowlers in terms of line and length, Hazlewood was rewarded with the crucial wicket of Joe Root in the second innings. His rhythm was exceptionally good and he kept testing the technique of the batsmen.
Pat Cummins – 8
Cummins scored a good 44 in the first innings and played his part in assisting Marsh. With the ball, he was rapid and took key wickets whenever the team needed them. His dismissal of Dawid Malan late on the fourth day was a major boost to the team's confidence.
Tim Paine – 7.5
Paine scored a crucial half-century in the first innings and formed a significant partnership with Marsh. His wicket-keeping was also commendable. The 32-year-old is showing why he has been a good pick in an important Ashes series.
Usman Khawaja – 7
Khawaja scored a sparkling half-century in the first innings to set up a foundation for the middle order. He looked extremely calm and in control throughout his innings. However, the conditions in the second innings seemed to be difficult for him.
David Warner – 6.5
Even though he failed to convert the good start into a big score, Warner contributed 47 in the first innings. But the opener struggled in challenging conditions in the second innings. According to his own standards, he had a silent match and will be looking forward to scoring a sizeable knock in Perth.
Steven Smith – 6
Despite being sledged from the England players, Smith chipped in with a neat 40 in the first innings. However, in the second innings, he struggled to tackle the swing. His decision to not enforce the follow-on may have appeared a bit strange. However, Australia went on to win comfortably in the end.
Peter Handscomb – 5.5
Handscomb scored a fighting 36 in the first innings but failed to make an impression in the second innings. He did not have the right footwork and missed a lot of drives on the front foot.
Cameron Bancroft – 3
Bancroft was unlucky to be run out in the first innings. In the second innings, he had to face England's seamers under lights with the new ball. The 25-year old ended up falling victim to Anderson.