By Peter Moore
- Drama on final day of rain-hit second Test at Lords sees Australia cling on to deny England victory
- Australia maintain 1-0 lead in series with three games to play
- Jack Leach and Jofra Archer efforts fall short of snatching dramatic victory for hosts in final hour of Day 5
LONDON, ENGLAND – After a rain-hit but dramatic second Test at Lords, how did both sides rate as the Ashes series remains 1-0 to the tourists?
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England
Jason Roy – 4/10 – Still really struggling with his position as an opener. Out for a duck in the first innings. Scratched around for 13 deliveries in the second before getting a leading edge. The selectors may now need to think about moving the talented Surrey batsman down the order.
Rory Burns – 8/10 – Looking more than ever a solid England opener. Profited by being dropped on 16 to go on a make a fine half century in the first innings. Faced a difficult and testing time second time around, and once again had a life when he had made 16 but went on to grind out 29 runs.
Joe Root – 6/10 – Struggled against the Australian pace attack. Suffered a first ball duck in England’s second innings. Overall his captaincy once again was up to a good standard. Used his bowlers well in the final session.
Joe Denly – 6/10 – Still can’t seem to build a score for England. Dropped on seven and went on to make 26 in the second innings following a promising 30 in the first. Took a stunning catch to remove Tim Paine. Both the knocks in this test match should finally give him the confidence to go on and get a half-century.
Jos Buttler – 6/10 – Always seems to struggle against Australia. Went into this test with an average of 12.72 against them. Caught behind of a wide delivery for 12 but looked the part when pushed down the order in the second innings by coming in at number six. Shared in a crucial partnership with Ben Stokes of 90 of which his contribution was 31.
Ben Stokes – 9 /10 – His outstanding summer just keeps getting better. A superb undefeated 115, including slog sweeping Nathan Lyon for successive sixes, set up England’s declaration. Luck appears to be on his side after profiting from a bad drop from David Warner when on six. A major player for England in this Ashes series.
Jonny Bairstow – 7/10 – A fine half-century before a poor shot ended his innings of 52. Looked comfortable at the crease when making an undefeated 30 in the second innings. Kept wicket tidily as well. Long overdue form.
Jofra Archer – 8/10 – Has had to bide his time and wait for his Test debut, but the wait has certainly been worth it. Bowled with pace and hostility that hasn’t been seen from an England quick bowler for many a while. Had Steve Smith in trouble amongst others with his blistering pace and bounce. Certainly, won the showdown with Smith. Finished with 2 for 59 and 3 for 32. It was pure box office watching him bowl with Jack Leach in tandem for the final hour. A man who could swing the series in host’s favour.
Chris Woakes – 7/10 – Bowled well in Australia’s first innings by taking 3 for 61. Bowled a little short in the second. Useful knock of 32 in the first, despite being troubled by the short ball.
Stuart Broad – 7/10 – A lot of pressure on his shoulders once again as the main strike bowler for England after the loss of Jimmy Anderson. Superb seam bowling in Australia’s first innings, with the Notts quickie picking up 4 for 65. Relishing his role with Archer sharing the new ball.
Jack Leach – 7/10 – Kept one end quiet in Australia’s first innings with 1 for 19 off only eleven overs. Used bowling into the rough in the second innings to fine effect by claiming 3 for 37. Looks certain to keep his place in the next test at Headingley.
Australia
David Warner – 2/10 – A man who appears to have no confidence now. Still yet to get into double figures in this series. Hates having to face Broad at the moment- having been dismissed three times by him. The big fear for England is at some point he will come good. Poor test in the field, having dropped no less than three easy chances.
Cameron Bancroft – 4/10 – After another below par performance with scores of 13 and 16, his place must be in doubt for Headingly. Lacking confidence, which he shouldn’t having played in English conditions before.
Usman Khawaja – 6/10 – Part of a worrying top three for Australia. Looked to be going well in the first innings when making 36 before edging behind. Struggled against the new ball in the second.
Steve Smith – 9/10 – Narrowly missed out on a third successive Ashes century in this series. Going well on 80 when he was hit on the arm and then neck by Archer. Had to retire but came back and eventually went for 92. Ruled out of the final day with concussion. Doubt for the Headingley which will be a huge relief for England.
Travis Head – 8/10 – Looking a high-quality player for Australia. Held the Aussies together when they suffered a wobble in the second innings. Finished on a valuable undefeated 42 to steer Australia to an Ashes draw.
Matthew Wade – 5/10 – Struggled at the crease in both innings with scores of just one and six. Poor game overall.
Tim Paine – 6/10 – Steady work with the gloves behind the stumps from the Aussie Skipper. Looking good in the first innings before falling for 23. Could do nothing about his dismissal in the second.
Josh Hazlewood – 7/10 – Picked ahead of James Pattinson for this test, and the selectors got it right. Claimed 3 for 58 in the first innings and bowled well in the second without much luck. May loose his place to Mitchell Starc in the next test.
Pat Cummins – 8/10 – The pick of Australia’s attack. Picked up three wickets in both innings. Made some useful runs with the bat in Australia’s first innings. Made excellent use with the new ball.
Peter Siddle – 7/10 – Kept England’s batsman on their toes. Bowled better in the first innings than England’s second. Still a more than useful bowler to have up your sleeve in English conditions as a seasoned veteran for Essex.
Nathan Lyon – 8/10 – England attacked the off spinner to good effect in their second innings making him look nonthreatening. Went for 102 off 26 overs. More control in the first, by picking up 3 for 68. Still a key player for the Aussies.
(SUB) Marnus Labuschagne – 8/10 – Faced with the hardest task of anybody in this series, coming in for Smith as a concussion replacement. His Ashes debut came with his team 19 for 2 and wobbling. Smashed on the grill by ferocious Archer early on, his 59 off 100 balls helped Australia to claim the draw. Has had a good season in England so far by playing county cricket for Glamorgan. A real prospect and likely to play a further part in the Ashes in Leeds.
The Third Ashes Test begins on Thursday 22 August at Headingley, Leeds, starting at 11am UK time.
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