Player ratings: The new opener, the underrated keeper and the Englishman who embodies Bazball without brains

10 hours ago 2

Opinion

December 7, 2025 — 11.01pm

Australia

Jake Weatherald: The opener set the tempo for Australia’s innings with a blistering 72 off 78 balls that brought back memories of David Warner in his prime. After a shaky debut innings, Weatherald has looked the part in each of his past two knocks. His preparedness to dictate proceedings meant Australia were not bogged down by England’s quicks as they were on the first day of the series. 8/10

Jake Weatherald hit a blistering 72 off 78 balls in the first innings.

Travis Head: This was a more low-key but still important contribution from the vice-captain. Head showed great leadership in accepting the responsibility of seeing off Jofra Archer with the new ball, which allowed his junior partner to prosper. I’m not convinced opening in both innings is the best role for Head, but his versatility gives selectors opportunities to tinker with the balance of the XI according to conditions. 6/10

Marnus Labuschagne: The former world No.1 test batter is building up to a big score, though he will be kicking himself for not turning his 65 into a ton. The work Labuschagne put in while in the wilderness is starting to pay dividends as he is batting with more freedom and looking to score rather than merely surviving. Took one of the best outfield catches you will see this summer. An important part of the team. 8/10

Steve Smith: The superstar batter has relished his return to the captaincy, leading his team in the field with a calmness not always seen in his younger days. His patience and faith in his bowlers in unfavourable conditions gave his attack confidence. With the bat, Smith played a key role in setting up the game, though he too will be disappointed not to crack three figures. His stunning catch ended England’s resistance. 8.5/10

Cameron Green: This game was a lost opportunity for the West Australian all-rounder, who cost himself a big score with a brain fade under lights. Seemingly in total control, Green lost concentration and was hoodwinked by Brydon Carse’s bumper barrage. His bowling should improve with more match practice. Has played enough Test cricket to start making more significant contributions to the team. 6.5/10

Alex Carey: An excellent performance by one of the most underrated players in world cricket. Carey was superb behind the stumps – and not just with his catching. There isn’t a keeper who could have taken the catch running with the flight of the ball on the first night. Don’t underestimate the impact of him standing up to the stumps to the seamers, which stops the batters from coming down the track. Made more valuable runs again. 8/10

Josh Inglis: Recalled to the XI, Inglis played vital cameo roles. His stunning run out of Ben Stokes sent England spiralling in the first innings, while his knock the following night steadied the hosts after quick wickets. Not convinced he keeps his place in Adelaide when Australia may need Beau Webster for extra bowling cover. 6/10

Josh Inglis’ run out of Stokes will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Michael Neser: The winner of a contentious line-ball call, Neser vindicated selectors with a maiden bag of five to break England’s belated resistance. Bowling an egoless stump-to-stump line with the wicketkeeper standing up, Neser more than paid his way with six wickets for the game plus an important knock under lights. The impending return of Pat Cummins means he is no certainty to hold his place. 8.5/10

Mitchell Starc: This was a banner Test for the champion paceman, who passed Wasim Akram for the most Test wickets taken by a left-arm fast bowler. Starc’s match-high eight wickets also took him above Harbhajan Singh into 15th on the all-time list. Wasn’t as influential in the second innings, but he had an excuse – he’d batted for hours to top-score with 77 to build Australia a match-winning lead. 10/10

Mitchell Starc was for the second time this series named man of the match,

Scott Boland: A workmanlike performance by the cult figure of Australian cricket. Boland made key breakthroughs as Australia made their charge on the third night with the new ball, removing Ben Duckett and Harry Brook. His most important contribution came with the bat when he held up the tail end to effectively bat England out of the game. Will selectors rest him in Adelaide so he’s cherry ripe for Boxing Day? 7/10

Brendan Doggett: Just the two wickets for the second-gamer, who was given the unsuitable role of Australia’s enforcer when the pink ball had lost its lustre and hardness. Lacked penetration at times, but will have learned plenty from his first two appearances in the baggy green. 5/10

England

Zak Crawley: The opener is a Bazball curiosity. Picked to set the tone of the innings, Crawley fulfilled the brief with 76 and 44, but more is needed. Australia sweats on Crawley’s love of boundaries by placing a sweeper, so his good shots only get singles. Orthodox Test batting demands you take the single, but he doesn’t. Until he changes that mentality, he’ll continue to be a tease. 7/10

Ben Duckett: The dynamic opener had a shocker. We’re not holding his golden globe and 15 against him. He got out to good balls. That happens. Where he let himself down was in the field, dropping two catches that should be taken at Test level. The reprieve of Alex Carey first ball was costly. A match-changing collapse under lights had been on the cards. Carey made 63, and the moment was lost. 1/10

Ollie Pope: England’s No.3 does not have a game that is sustainable in Australian conditions. He drives with hard hands away from his body. It is a recipe for disaster. A chop on and a return catch are soft dismissals for a top-order player, who, let’s be honest, should be batting at five. After riding his luck for three middling totals, Pope is in danger of a horror run unless he can suppress his urges. 1/10

Joe Root shrugs towards the England dressing room after reaching triple figures.

Joe Root: The England great finally broke through for his first Test century on Australian soil, but another drought lives on. Root’s ton on the first day averted total disaster for his team. Coming to the crease in the third over of the game, Root survived the new ball and kept his head while his teammates lost theirs. Mitchell Starc got him again in the second innings. Still to play in a Test win in Australia from 16 games. 7.5/10

Harry Brook: The young gun embodies Bazball without brains. His extravagant drive to nick off on the first night when England were getting on top was totally unnecessary, undoing the hours of hard work his team had put in to recover from their poor start. Brook is a precocious talent who needs to decide if he wants to be a Flash Harry or a heavy-duty Test player. 2.5/10

Ben Stokes: A frustrating match for the captain, who made some blues with the bat and his captaincy, but also led by example when he dug in for almost four hours to make Australia earn their win. Stokes was to blame for his run out, which turned the game on the first night. His lack of imagination and unwillingness to attack Mitchell Starc allowed Australia to bat them out of the game. The pressure is building, and his patience is being tested. 6/10

England captain Ben Stokes’ patience has got to be wearing thin.

Jamie Smith: The wicketkeeper had a howler. His spilling of Travis Head changed the complexion of Australia’s innings, allowing the hosts to get off to a rollicking start. With his mind scrambled by the drop and a boisterous crowd constantly providing him with feedback, Smith did not make an attempt for a nick that forced first slip to dive to the keeper’s side and drop. Did nothing with the bat. 0/10

Will Jacks: Picked to stretch England’s batting depth, Jacks did what was asked of him with a dogged 41 batting at No.8. He bowled just 11.3 overs, which raises questions about whether it’s viable for England to set up in such a manner when conditions demand more of a spin presence. 5.5/10

Gus Atkinson: I don’t mind this guy. Atkinson kept pushing in difficult conditions and bowled without luck. Should have had Alex Carey out, only for the wicketkeeper to not go for the catch. Has taken only three wickets this series, but is good enough to make a serious impact somewhere. 4/10

Brydon Carse: Don’t let his bowling figures deceive you, he had a stinker. Carse was attacked mercilessly by an Australian batting line-up intent on not letting him settle. Unable to bowl on one side of the pitch, let alone group enough balls in the same area, Carse was found out. To his credit, he fought his way back with a bumper barrage, which may be his best MO from here. 2/10

Jofra Archer: The speed demon is at his best when fresh but cannot maintain his express pace backing up in second, third and fourth spells. Australia know this and are content to see him out. Has played little first-class cricket in the past six years, so Ben Stokes can hardly get cranky with him for dropping in speed. Had the better of Travis Head in an entertaining duel, while his rivalry with Steve Smith is hitting fever pitch. Hit valuable runs on the first night. 4.5/10

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