The longest and fiercest rivalry in sport is back with plenty of feeling after a controversial win by the Australian side.
We rate all the Australians below
David Warner – 7
66 & 25
Warner’s 66 in the first innings was the key to Australia posting a large total. Under cloudy conditions, with it swinging like a taped-up tennis ball, the dogged competitive beast that the Australian public grew to love was back to playing some of his best cricket.
Unlike 2019, Warner seems to be surviving the tough early moments, giving the middle order a chance against a worn down Duke’s ball.
Despite being dismissed by Josh Tongue in both innings, Warner will take plenty of confidence from this game, showing the ability to both attack and defend effectively.
Usman Khawaja – 7
17 & 77
Like Warner, Khawaja played an important role in Australia putting up a more than defendable total in the second innings. The two New South Welshman put up their third consecutive 50+ opening partnership, sharing the attacking duties throughout.
Khawaja has made over 50 runs in 3 out of his 4 innings so far in the Ashes, playing in his typical unflappable and calm manner.
Marnus Labuschagne – 5.5
47 & 30
Once again, Labuschagne worked his way through the toughest period, only to not go on with a substantial score. This now makes it 19 straight innings without triple figures for the Australian number 3.
The enthusiastic Queenslander also dropped what looked to be a regulation catch at square leg in the first innings, gifting Harry Brook a chance.
Expect a big comeback for Marnus in the next test at Headingly.
Steve Smith – 9
110 & 34
It was a vintage Steve Smith performance in the first innings. From the moment he strolled to the crease, it looked like the Smith of 2019 – all the antics, all the theatre, but most importantly, all the class that makes him box office.
Smith’s only flaw in the Test came at an important time, dropping a sitter in the outfield to give Ben Stokes a chance to repeat his amazing performance from Leeds 4 years ago.
Smith was awarded the man of the match, as predicted in the Lord’s preview here
Travis Head – 7.5
77 & 7, 2-17 & 0-23
Head once again countered ‘Bazball’ with ‘Travball’ in the first innings, playing his typical counter-attacking cricket to finish with an sensational 77 off 73 balls.
Head once again proved he is more than just a part-time option with the ball. Finishing with 2 first innings wickets in the absence of Nathan Lyon.
Arguably, the South Australian could have been used in the early stages of the Stokes/Broad partnership against the two left-handers.
Cameron Green – 4.5
0 & 18, 1-54 & 1-73
Whilst playing his role at times, it wasn’t the best test for the big West Australian. His dismissal in the first innings was particularly disappointing, swatting at a Joe Root half-tracker to be dismissed for a duck.
His dismissal of Ollie Pope in the first innings was an crucial one, not to mention, what is likely his first and last ever stumping off his bowling to dismiss Jonny Bairstow.
Alex Carey – 7.5
22 & 21, 4 catches & 2 stumpings
Carey once again proved to England the importance of a reliable wicketkeeper. Whilst gaining starts in both innings and failing to capitalise, the amount of runs he saved with the gloves far exceeds any negative.
Setting up down the leg-side to remove Ben Duckett in the second innings proved to be a masterstroke, showing the growth of his cricket IQ since joining the national team.
His stumping of Bairstow will be the talking point from the match, but all is fair in love and Ashes.
Mitchell Starc – 8.5
3-88 & 3-79
After previously being overlooked for Tests in English conditions, the tall left-armer proved he could the kryptonite to ‘Bazball’.
Starc looked back to his blistering best at times, producing a ball to Ollie Pope that would have dismissed every cricketer in the world.
Yes, Starc can be expensive, however, every bowler is expensive against ‘Bazball’.
Pat Cummins – 6.5
1-46 & 3-69
The Australian skipper was not at his usual best in the first innings with his sole wicket being that of Josh Tongue.
His second innings produced two key wickets in Joe Root and Harry Brook. His rating would have been higher if not for the bizarre tactics to Ben Stokes on Day 5, allowing the English side back into the game.
Credit where credit is due, Cummins never got flustered and managed to win the Test despite being a bowler down.
Nathan Lyon – 5
1-35
The GOAT managed to snag the wicket of the dangerous Zak Crawley before suffering a severe calf injury late on day 2.
His courage to go out to bat and add an important 15 run partnership on one leg, left the Lord’s faithful no option but to give him a deserved standing ovation.
Lyon’s injury will open the door for the young Victorian Todd Murphy for the remainder of the series.
Josh Hazlewood – 7
2-71 & 3-80
At times Hazlewood looked out of the game, only to spring a wicket out of nowhere, something which ‘Hoff’ has done over his entire career.
Claiming Ben Duckett in both innings was vital, however, it was the wicket of Ben Stokes which would ultimately ensure the Australian side would move to 2-0 in the series.
It was the ‘Bendeemer Bullets’ first game for a significant period and will only be better with plenty of overs under his belt.
Honourable Mention – Ben Stokes
That second innings had every Australian cricket fan reliving the nightmare that was Leeds in 2019.
A true leader, who bunkered away early in his innings before unleashing a relentless barrage of boundaries to single-handedly give England a chance at a miracle win.
An innings illustrated by mental and physical toughness blended with pure brutality.
Well done, Ben Stokes.
