The Ashes: Player ratings as Australia beat England in thrilling first Test

There were big runs for Usman Khawaja and Joe Root and wickets for Nathan Lyon and Stuart Broad as the Ashes justified the hype and produced an all-time classic.

ENGLAND

Ben Duckett, 3

Nicked off cheaply in both innings. England will stick with him but his reluctance to leave the ball could become a problem.

Zak Crawley, 7

Set the tone on the first morning with a crunching first-ball four and a brisk 61. Was looking to ton up after lunch but Scott Boland beat him with a ripper.

Ollie Pope, 4

Batted well on the first day before an innocuous dismissal trying to turn Nathan Lyon into the leg-side. Had his stumps destroyed by a stunning Pat Cummins yorker second time around.

Joe Root, 9

Held England together with a masterful ton, his first against Australia since 2015 and 30th overall. Added 46 when England put their foot down on day four – including a couple of audacious reverse scoops – before being stumped for the first time in his Test career. Took a superb catch off his own bowling on day five that appeared to put England on the verge of victory.

Harry Brook, 6

Looked good and dangerous on his Ashes debut without producing a match-defining innings, although his downfall on day one was desperately unfortunate. He then tamely pulled Lyon to mid-wicket with a big score beckoning. Still, there was more than enough to suggest he can enjoy a productive series.

Ben Stokes, 6

Didn’t do much bowling amid ongoing concerns over his knee but showed his worth with a day-five burst. Lacked fluency with the bat, though he was finding some form in the second innings. His decision to declare on the first day will be questioned but he never let the game drift. On a flat and slow pitch, this could have been a fairly turgid affair. It wasn’t, and that’s largely down to Stokes.

Jonny Bairstow, 6

Hit a run-a-ball 78 in a crucial partnership with Root on the opening day and scored more runs in the match than all bar three players. His keeping was rusty – chances went begging in both innings – which can be explained if not excused by his recent injury lay-off.

Moeen Ali, 5

The return to Test cricket we all expected: gave it a brief whack, bowled some dross and a couple of beauties. A badly blistered finger injury, a result of a lack of red-ball bowling, could rule him out of the second Test.

Stuart Broad, 9

Bowled his heart out. Faced genuine competition for a place in the team but completely justified his inclusion, emerging as England’s star with the ball. Knocked over David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (and Usman Khawaja off a no-ball) during spells in both innings that put the hosts on top.

Ollie Robinson, 6

Spent more than 110 overs in the field before taking three wickets (two of which were tailenders). His send-off to Usman Khawaja was slightly bizarre and caused some anger Down Under. But he broke Australia’s opening partnership when they appeared to be cruising in the chase.

James Anderson, 4

For once, England’s record wicket-taker underwhelmed, only adding one scalp to his remarkable tally. Would have wanted more life in the pitch to trouble Australia but it was telling that Stokes did not turn to him with the new ball on day five.

AUSTRALIA

David Warner, 5

Played an ugly hack to fall to Broad for the 15th time and nicked off when looking good in Australia’s chase.

Usman Khawaja, 10

Ground England down with a classy century and frustrated England again in the second innings with a dogged 65. Batted on every day of the Test, which doesn’t happen often.

Marnus Labuschagne, 2

Dismissed twice playing at deliveries he could have left, including a first-ball duck. Needs to do more to justify his world No. 1 ranking.

Steve Smith, 3

Has been England’s tormentor for so long but missed out here, contributing just 22 runs. He felt he was slightly unlucky with a lbw decision but could have no complaints as Broad found his edge at the end of day four.

Travis Head, 6

Hit nine boundaries in a first-innings fifty before giving it away. Looked uncomfortable against the short ball, which England quickly picked up on.

MORE : Ex-England captain reveals Stuart Broad predicted Steve Smith’s Ashes dismissal

MORE : Australia legend Jason Gillespie thought Ashes star Usman Khawaja was ‘done’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.