The Ashes 2017-18 series: Australia Test Team Player Ratings
David Warner - 7.5
Runs: 441
Average: 63.00
Highest score: 103
David Warner's stats are kind to him. The reality is he got off to a slow start in the series, scoring his most runs when there was little pressure on him to really deliver. His century was scored in the fourth Test when Australia had already sealed the series win, and his 87 not-out in the first Test was with the Aussies chasing only 170 runs to win. Perhaps this shaky performance was down to the neck injury that he battled ahead of the series. Still, he made some quality catches in the field and played a leadership role in the team.
Pat Cummins - 9
Wickets: 23Best Match Performance: 8/119 (Fifth Test)
Maidens: 43
Pat Cummins was the leading wicket-taker of the series and was one of the most consistent performers across a variety of pitches. He clearly relished being back at full fitness, despite battling a stomach bug in Melbourne. After a long wait, and numerous injury setbacks it was fitting that he earn man of the match honours in his maiden Test match at his home turf, the Sydney Cricket Ground. His 166 total runs with the bat for a series average of 41.50 was extra valuable with Australia's sometimes nervy middle order.
Nathan Lyon - 8.5
Wickets: 21
Best Match Performance: 6/105 (Second Test)
Maidens: 61
Nathan Lyon did his job very well in the 2017/18 Ashes. His bowling slowed down run rates, put pressure on batsman and offered the pace-heavy Aussie bowling attack some much-needed variety. He also delivered one of the run-outs of the series to dismiss James Vince on day one of the first Test just when it looked like Vince would go on to score a century and help England to a big total.
Usman Khawaja - 7
Runs: 333
Average: 47.57
Highest score: 171
Usman Khawaja scored his first Ashes century on the SCG wicket, and went on for a memorable 171-run knock that has secured his spot in the team for the upcoming Test matches in South Africa. Until that effort however, Khawaja struggled to put together many convincing performances at the crease, crawling to two half centuries in the second (53) and third (50) Tests, but never looking quite comfortable. He'll be looking to take the momentum from Sydney on to the Aussies' next tour.
Mitchell Starc - 8
Wickets: 22
Best Match Performance: 8/137 (Second Test)
Maidens: 32
Mitch Starc had great figures considering he missed one match with a foot injury. Although he was one of the higher economy rates of the Australia bowlers, he got key wickets of the England top order. A highlight for the series was no doubt the peach of a ball that rattled James Vince's stumps at the WACA in the third Test.
Steve Smith - 9.5
Runs: 687
Average: 137.40
Highest score: 239
What more can be said about Steve Smith? He's in the form of his life with the bat, had a ridiculous average scoring the most runs of the series, and showed immense leadership with his all-round effort. The only thing that kept him from getting a perfect 10/10 was those few dropped catches that he'd rather forget. Apart from that, take a bow skipper on a SUPERB series.
Tim Paine - 7
Runs: 192
Average: 48.00
Highest score: 57
Tim Paine was a surprise selection before the Ashes series, but he proved to be more than capable behind the stumps and with the bat. There was one blemish though, a drop early in the series at the Gabba Test after Nathan Lyon got the edge of James Vince's bat only to have Paine drop the sitter. Other than that, in only six innings with the bat, he averaged just under 50 runs which is very handy at no.7.
Shaun Marsh - 9
Runs: 445
Average: 74.16
Highest score: 156
Shaun Marsh was one of the most criticised selections before the 2017/18 series, but he ignored the naysayers and did an outstanding job to do his talking with the bat. Marsh had the second-most runs of the series and a ripping average in 7 innings. Sacrificing his arms to severe sunburn to keep his superstition alive is probably not the greatest advertisement for sun safety, but keep doing what you're doing Shaun!
Cameron Bancroft - 4
Runs: 179Average: 25.57
Highest score: 82 not-out
Cameron Bancroft will need to give the selectors a very good reason to keep him on the team because the opener really struggled to make an impact. His 82 not-out was made with the Aussies under little pressure, requiring just 170 runs to win the first Test, and apart from that knock, he couldn't get it going. Granted, being the opening batsman is a daunting task, but the question whether or not the selectors have the patience to give him another chance to prove himself in South Africa.
Josh Hazlewood - 8
Wickets: 21Best Match Performance: 8/140 (Third Test)
Maidens: 49
Josh Hazlewood was a standout in the third Test, taking a team-best bowling innings for the series of 5/48 in the second innings. Throughout the series his line-and-length McGrath-like approach nicely complemented Starc and Cummins in the Aussie bowling attack. His most forgettable moment however would be the sitter of a catch he dropped on day two of the fifth Test at the SCG. Still a very strong overall performance at this Ashes series.
