Champions: Australia outclassed England in 2013/14
With an Ashes whitewash secure following the shambolic tour of England in the summer, Australia emerge in the strongest and healthiest position their game has been in since 2008. With an overall 5-3 scoreline from the marathon Ashes double of the last six months or so behind them, it is time to rate the squad for their performances across the entire ten-Test series.
Ashton Agar – 2 Tests, 130 runs at 32.50, 2 wickets at 124.00
The wildcard selection for Trent Bridge who illuminated the game with his record-breaking 98 from number 11. However, his bowling – the skill he was primarily selected for – was below bar and his unhealthy average reflects the haste Australia took in promoting a 19-year-old with barely ten first-class matches behind him for such an important fixture. Once the experiment was exposed as folly, the promising but not yet ready Agar was sent back to Western Australia where he is likely to spend at least the next two or three years before a recall is even considered. Like Steve Smith before him, it may be that his spin takes a back seat to his batting by the next time he plays a Test match. 5
George Bailey – 5 Tests, 183 runs at 26.14
Outstanding in one-day cricket over the past year, Bailey was unable to fully make the transformation into the red-ball game during the whitewash and had his place protected by Australia’s series dominance. Played some pleasing cameos – not least his record-breaking 28 off of one James Anderson over – but his biggest contribution to the series was his excellent short-leg fielding. May be given the South Africa series to tighten his technique outside off stump, but with Dale Steyn and co. at hand, it may be his last series for a while, perhaps even for good. 4
Jackson Bird – 1 Test, 2 wickets at 62.50
Played at Durham and offered control if not much threat. At 27 and with Australia’s battery of young fast bowlers, time may not be on his side but he stands a chance of future selection should Australia ever wish for a containing bowler in the Bresnan mould. Most likely, his brief Test career is now over. 6
Michael Clarke – 10 Tests, 744 runs at 43.76
Tailed away towards the end of the marathon and at times struggled against the short ball, but as an overall package of batsman, captain and slip fielder he was world class. Alongside Darren Lehmann he was the leader of the Australian retaliation in the second series and scored two vital centuries when it mattered most in Brisbane and Adelaide. However, his most telling innings with the bat came months before at Old Trafford where his mammoth century – the highest of the double-series – provided an early blueprint for handling Graeme Swann. Despite all the hype and over-reaction to the whitewash, the fact remains those praising him as the world’s best captain are, in all probability, correct. 9
Ed Cowan – 1 Test, 14 runs at 7.00
With just over 1,000 Test runs to his name and a century in his 18 matches, Cowan can be proud of his achievements in the game but at 31 his Test career is now over. Was far too vulnerable against the moving ball in his only Test at Trent Bridge and at times it was pitiful to watch him bat. With the likes of Doolan and Maddinson emerging as young batting talent and Hughes and Khawaja ahead of him in the reserve pecking order, it would take a miracle for him to ever represent his country again. 2
James Faulkner – 1 Test, 43 runs at 22.50, 6 wickets at 16.33
Performed credibly on Test debut at the Oval and has a positive future ahead. However, neither his bowling nor his batting looks polished enough for him to make the side with either discipline. He seems suited to a role as a bowling number seven but whether he can be accommodated in this role remains to be seen. In all likelihood, he needs to put on a yard of pace and really develop his bowling in order to hold down a regular place in the post-Harris and Johnson era. 6
Brad Haddin – 10 Tests, 699 runs at 41.12, 51 catches
A record breaker throughout the whole double-series. A Test record number of catches (29) in England followed by an Australian record run-tally for a wicketkeeper in any series next time out. Began with a fighting 71 to pull Australia to the brink in the Trent Bridge epic and, following a hiatus for the rest of the English summer, returned in spectacular style on home turf. His 493 runs in the second series were a rescue-mission of such magnitude that it speaks volumes for Johnson’s performances that the wicketkeeper did not win the man-of-the-series award. At 36 he is the wrong end of his career timeline but is playing with such a freedom and clarity that he can be of immense value for at least another twelve months. 9
Ryan Harris – 9 Tests, 46 wickets at 19.46
Injury has robbed him – and Test cricket – of one of the great fast bowling careers. Had he managed to stay fit across the last ten years there is little doubt he would have been part of an elite trio of modern fast bowlers alongside Steyn and Anderson. To keep fit for nine consecutive matches – more than twice as many as he had ever managed before – was an achievement in itself and a tribute to the collective will of this team as well as his own wholehearted nature. Harris is almost the complete fast bowler and, fitness permitting, will play in this side for as long as he decides to. 9
Phil Hughes – 2 Tests, 83 runs at 27.66
Played beautifully in Australia’s first innings of the summer at Trent Bridge and was the unsung hero of the Agar onslaught, but made just two runs in his next three innings and has not re-appeared since. He is far from discarded as a Test cricketer, however, and should be first in line if the selectors decide Bailey is not up to the task. However, when he comes again it will be more important for him to seize his place than at any other stage of his career to date with Doolan now looking to break in to the side. Needs to tighten his technique and rediscover the freedom of old. He has the talent, now it is up to him. 5
Mitchell Johnson – 5 Tests, 165 runs at 27.50, 37 wickets at 13.97
There is not much more that can be said of him now. Whilst it pays to remember that six months ago he was not even selected for Australia’s Ashes campaign and was ridiculed by even his own supporters at times in the last year or two, it is a testament to Clarke’s judgement and Johnson’s own willpower that he emerged with the best tally of any fast bowler in any series in Australia in history. Only made the side because of injuries and now will only leave it for the same reason. Needs to prove that this was not a flash-in-the-pan tour and South Africa in February is crucial for him. If he is here to stay, 300 Test wickets is not beyond him. 9
Usman Khawaja – 3 Tests, 114 runs at 19.00
Despite possessing a stylish technique, Khawaja has thus far been unable to adapt to Test level and a string of unconverted starts poses questions about his mental strength. Like Cowan, Khawaja’s chance may have gone although at 27 he still has time to feature again. It seems that he will be used sparingly and infrequently, perhaps only as part of a resting policy should senior players need a break, but his vulnerability against spin will prevent him ever holding down a career at the highest level unless serious work is done. 4
Nathan Lyon – 8 Tests, 28 wickets at 30.75
It seems scarcely believable now that he was discarded at the start of the English series, and he has now taken over from Swann as the leading conventional off-spinner in world cricket. Lyon offered control throughout, and the English batsmen – notably Ian Bell and Matt Prior – could not come to terms with his round-the-wicket angle. Is more of a threat than he appears, and although he is unlikely to ever tear through middle-orders, he chips in with useful wickets on a consistent basis and could well go on to become the country’s most consistent off-spinner in history. 7.5
James Pattinson – 2 Tests, 7 wickets at 43.85
The figures do not suggest a particularly great threat, but Pattinson bowled with great heart until injury forced a premature end to his series and the two tours were all the sadder for it. He fought wholeheartedly with the ball and was courageous amid some shambolic batting performances, averaging 36. With Johnson and Harris both the wrong side of 30, Pattinson has the pace and skill to lead the Australian attack for the next eight years and although it would be wrong to place too much pressure on the young man, 250/300 wickets does not seem beyond him. With Australia’s current bowling trio performing so well, it will work in Australia’s favour that Pattinson will not play much Test cricket over the next year to eighteen months as he can go back to state cricket and continue his progress. Big things are coming his way. 7
Chris Rogers – 10 Tests, 830 runs at 43.68
An ambitious few would have earmarked Rogers as the leading run-scorer across the ten Tests at the beginning of the Trent Bridge Test but the 36-year-old has been a revelation. Has been so patient in waiting for his chance and has grabbed it with both hands. Played with ever-greater composure as the Australian series went on and finished with successive centuries in Melbourne and, more impressively, Sydney. He may only have twelve months left in him but his name will live on for years to come as the ultimate role model for journeyman players to never give up believing. 8
Peter Siddle – 10 Tests, 33 wickets at 27.97
Bowled as wholeheartedly as ever. Never seems to offer a great deal of threat but his control of line and length was vital in allowing Harris and Johnson more freedom. He is a key, if unsung, member of this side and, once Haddin’s day is up, he will be earmarked along side Smith as the next vice-captain of the team. Few would deny that he deserves it. 8
Steven Smith – 10 Tests, 672 runs at 39.53, 5 wickets at 32.80
Still frustratingly inconsistent, but he is perhaps the most improved cricketer on the planet over the last twelve months and his centuries in the first innings at Perth and Sydney were a tribute to controlled counter-attacking. He has matured beyond recognition from the 2010 model and the Test captaincy will head his way within the next five to seven years. His resurgence began by chance in India last year and he will be a fixture at number five for a long time. Took key wickets with his leg-spin and was terrific in the field, too. 7.5
Mitchell Starc – 3 Tests, 104 runs at 26.00, 11 wickets at 32.45
Like Pattinson, he is the future of Australian bowling and over the last twelve months his batting has shown potential to reach at least number seven. Was not as expensive as he can appear to be and went at less than three and over. Has the ability to produce magic balls from nowhere and once some consistency enters his game he can go along way. Injuries may prove to be his only stumbling block. 6.5
David Warner – 8 Tests, 661 runs at 44.17
Leading run-scorer in the Australian leg but needs to make more contributions at crucial times. He is learning all the time, however, and certainly has the potential to hold down a Sehwag-type role for the next six or seven years. Was key in nullifying Swann but his minimal returns in the English summer will be a worry. He must start producing big runs outside of Australia as well as in the first innings of matches. Had a fine series at home but the hard work is still to come. A stern examination at the hands of Dale Steyn in February will provide a true barometer of where his game is at the moment. 8
Shane Watson – 10 Tests, 763 runs at 40.16, 6 wickets at 50.27
Australia’s top scorer in the English summer but struggled to produce when it mattered most. His dismissal in the first innings at Sydney brought the vulnerability of his front pad to the fore again and it was one area England were shockingly poor at exploiting throughout the Australian series. Bowling average looks poor but more important was his overall economy rate of 2.26. He was invaluable in building pressure and wickets always fell either to him or at the other end when he was bowling. At 32 time is running out to iron out the flaws. 6.5
Related to this article;
Why Was Root Allowed To Keep Wicket
Johnson Rediscovers Old Menace
alexnsmith77 
Pingback: alexnsmith77 | England Ten-Test Ratings