Alex Carey: The wicketkeeper is in the form of his life on both sides of the stumps. In the past year, Carey has approached Adam Gilchrist territory with his ability to make big runs in quick time when his team is under the pump. His first-innings century saved Australia and set the game up. Then, his 72 in Australia’s second time at the crease halted England’s momentum. His glove work was again flawless. The best player in this game, and in contention to be player of the series. 10
Josh Inglis: Will he get a spot in the XI for Boxing Day in his Christmas stocking? The heat is on after Khawaja’s return to form and Steve Smith’s likely availability. His failure to fill his boots in the second innings when Australia were well in front and England’s attack was tiring will likely cost him his spot. 3.5
Pat Cummins: The Australia captain was entitled to be a little rusty in his first game since July, but bowled like a man who had not missed a beat. Cummins has the rare ability to lure high-quality batters into errors and strike against the flow of play. It’s what makes him one of the best of the last 50 years. Joe Root will be hoping Australia are super cautious and rest Cummins for the MCG Test. 8.5
Mitchell Starc: Just when he looked like having a slightly quieter game, it was Starc who struck repeatedly to snuff out England’s threat of a fourth-innings miracle. His delivery to dismiss Ben Stokes had to be near perfect on day one, while his first innings half-century gave Australia vital runs and forced England’s batters to spend extra time baking under the Adelaide sun. 8.5
Nathan Lyon: A fine performance from the veteran spinner turned on a dime when he clutched at his 38-year-old hamstring on day five and limped out of the contest. Until that point, the GOAT showed he’s still got it. Lyon’s magic fingers twirled him past Glenn McGrath into second for most wickets by an Australian with career-highlight deliveries to defeat Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes. His constant threat was a reminder of what England do not have. Unfortunately, Australia could be deprived of that now, as well. 8
Scott Boland: Another A-grade outing for the cult figure of Australian cricket, who has well and truly exorcised his Bazball demons. Boland again suffocated England with his unwavering accuracy, ensuring Australia never lost control in the field. Didn’t bowl huge overs, so should be fresh enough to play his home Test. 7.5
England
Ben Duckett: Bad things happen to openers when they refuse to leave the ball. Duckett’s half-hearted poke outside off stump to a ball he should have left is the sign of a man who is second-guessing himself. Copped a beauty in the first innings from Nathan Lyon, though, as Ricky Ponting explained, his technical flaws contributed. Only 97 runs in six innings is a massive fail for such a good player. 2
Zak Crawley: One of the few from his team to enhance his reputation, the opener defended strongly while still scoring at a decent clip. It took good balls in both innings to claim his wicket. He’ll need to be defensively sound to prosper in Melbourne, but on the evidence so far, he’s got what it takes. 7
Ollie Pope: The end is nigh for hard-handed Pope, whose spot in the team is untenable. Fortunate to get a reprieve from selectors, the England No.3 threw his wicket away during a game-changing top-order collapse. The classic catch to remove him is a sign the luck he rode early in the series has swung the other way. There’s no amount of Christmas cheer from selectors that can save him. 0.5
Ollie Pope has surely played his way out of the Ashes.Credit: Getty Images
Joe Root: Pat Cummins just outside off stump to Joe Root is like that last drink your friend offers you at the end of a night out. You know you should let it go, but you can’t, and regret is inevitable. In Root’s case, it comes instantly. Cummins has now dismissed him 13 times in 20 Tests. Just as well he broke his century drought while his nemesis was unavailable. 4.5
Harry Brook: England’s vice-captain vowed last week to change his ways and rein it in, only to play another dumb shot with severe ramifications. He’ll cop grief for playing the reverse sweep, but it was the premeditation that cost him. Brook has all the talent in the world. He needs the brains to go with it. 3.5
Ben Stokes: The captain is leading, but not enough of his men are following. Stokes was lionhearted with his epic vigil to pull his team back into the game. It required something special from Mitchell Starc in the first innings, then Nathan Lyon in the second, to knock him over. The mental and physical strain of leading a lost cause will have him close to breaking point in the next fortnight. 7
How many visiting captains to Australia can identify with Ben Stokes right now?Credit: AP
Jamie Smith: Finally showed Australian audiences what he can do with the bat in the second-innings. Just as a well-built 60 was starting to look commanding, he overcooked things and slogged his wicket away. Was front and centre of day one’s DRS drama and had his body language and influence behind the stumps came in for pointed criticism from Alyssa Healy – hard to argue with it either. Rocks and a late diamond. 5.5
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Will Jacks: A part-time spinner asked to bowl like a front-liner, he went about as well as could be expected. The first bowler in an Ashes Test to go for 100 runs in each innings since Shane Warne. The difference was Warne had 12 wickets, Jacks took three. Don’t let his gutsy 47 in the second innings change too much. England won’t win many games with him in this role. In the end, he failed in his job as a spinner. He’s one of the reasons why they lost. 3
Brydon Carse: An improved performance by the paceman, who was lucky to keep his place for this match. Five wickets in these conditions was a reasonable return, but his inconsistency makes it difficult for his captain to set fields and build pressure. Has a big heart, and batted accordingly to finish undefeated on day five. 6
Jofra Archer: England would be in a world of pain without their speed demon, whose five wickets in the first innings should have laid the platform for a much more competitive game. Also starred with the bat in a fine all-round performance. Does not have the stamina to bowl fast all game due to his lack of first-class cricket in recent years. 8.5
Josh Tongue: Bowling with good pace, though not always with control, Tongue was serviceable for his captain with five wickets. Deserves to keep his place in pace-friendly Melbourne, where the pitch will offer him more encouragement. 6
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