Ashes Player Ratings

England

Alastair Cook - 10

To put it simply, Cook has been incredible in this series. His 766 runs have come at the amazing average of 127. That’s Bradman-esque with a sprinkling of Mohammad Ashraful thrown in for good measure. He has been the bedrock of England’s batting. In total, he batted for just over 6 days in the series. That means that for nearly a third of the series, Cook was at the crease. Quite simply an incredible achievement and undoubtedly the most deserved rating of 10 that I’ve ever given.

Andrew Strauss - 8

Led with assurance and authority and during the course of the series became only the 4th post-war English captain to return home from Australia with the Ashes. Started off terribly with the bat after falling for a duck from the third ball of the series but recovered well to score 110 in the second innings and went on to have a good series with the bat.

Jonathon Trott - 8

Made batting look easy throughout the series. His unbeaten century at the MCG was the epitome of a calm under pressure innings. Could always be relied upon to sure up the batting after an early wicket. He is essential to England as he is the perfect foil for the more flashy players like Kevin Pietersen. Not usually known for his fielding, he collected two run-outs in the series. Firstly, a direct hit to remove Simon Katich for a diamond duck in Adelaide which set the ball rolling for England’s innings victory and then a classy pick up and throw to remove Phil Hughes after a good start in Melbourne. Possibly underrated as a fielder?

Kevin Pietersen - 7

Had a good, solid series which was boosted by a double hundred in Adelaide. It seemed like that innings might be just the boost he needed to kick on and get back to his best but despite looking in ominously good touch he failed to capitalise on his starts and will be disappointed he did not score more runs.

Paul Collingwood - 6

Rating would have been lower were it not for some fantastic catches and a couple of well timed wickets with his part-time bowling. Had a poor series with the bat and because of that he announced his retirement during the final Test. His brilliant fielding and incredible professionalism will be sorely missed by England but it was probably the right time to go. Will end his career on a massive high despite his poor personal form.

Ian Bell - 8

Most would say his coming of age series was last winter in South Africa when he scored an impressive century under pressure and helped England save a game with a gritty half-century. This series however, will probably be remembered as his crowning glory. For the first 4 matches he was frustrated by a lack of opportunities as his team-mates made hay and by the lack of support from those very same team-mates when he finally did get a chance to bat. Came into the last Test desperate for his first Ashes ton and for the first time this series, everything clicked into place for Bell. He didn’t have to marshall the tail and he had all the time in the world to bat. He made the most of the opportunity as he scored a sublime 115. Just deserves for a player who has been brilliant all series.

Matt Prior - 8

Flawless behind the stumps and belligerent in front of them. Prior was at his absolute best this series, he was faultless behind the stumps which gave England’s bowlers plenty of confidence. He finished the series just one catch behind Alan Knott’s record, an achievement that would have been richly deserved. He didn't get too many opportunities early on but made it count when he did. He scored a run-a-ball century in the final Test which helped set up England’s third innings win.

Stuart Broad - 5

Only played two games because of injury and despite averaging in the 80s with the ball, bowled very economically and I’m sure he would have had a good series if he had had the chance.

Graeme Swann - 7

May not have got as many wickets as he would have liked but did his job when necessary. Bowled Australia out on the final day in Adelaide to make sure of England’s innings win. When he wasn’t taking wickets he was doing a sterling job by tying down one end which allowed Strauss to attack from the other. Swann might have liked to have played a more prominent role but he has certainly enhanced his reputation during the series.

James Anderson - 9

Best bowler of the series by a mile. Hardly bowled a bad spell, consistently swung the ball in all conditions and showed excellent control. Has now shown he can take wickets in all conditions and England will now be looking to him to lead their attack in their quest to become the best side in the world. Judging by this series, he is certainly up to the challenge.

Steven Finn - 6

Took wickets but proved consistently expensive, showing no signs of the control which his mentor Angus Fraser was famous for. Went at 5 an over in Perth which ultimately cost him his place but there is definitely the makings of a good cricketer there. Will still be considered a vital member of England’s pace unit.

Chris Tremlett - 8

Came into the side in Perth and excelled. His 8 wickets there were well deserved and he continued in that vein for the rest of the series. His steep bounce constantly unsettled the Australian batsmen and he has shown that he has all the qualities necessary to succeed at Test level.

Tim Bresnan - 8

Came into the side in Melbourne and showed just why the England management value him so highly. He offered control which strangled the Australian batsmen into playing poor shots. Also found appreciable movement and seems to have mastered reverse swing. Will be a major player for England in the forthcoming years.

Australia

Shane Watson - 6

Made plenty of solid starts and was probably Australia’s most consistent batsman. Unfortunately, Watson could not convert even one of his starts into a hundred, he was also involved in 3 run-outs during the series. All of which were his fault. His medium pace was handy for Australia but he never offered a true wicket-taking threat. Watson will consider this series as one which could have been so much better.

Simon Katich - 5

Only played 2 Tests before an achilles injury ruled him out. Was cruelly run out for a diamond duck in Adelaide but apart from this he was very stubborn at the crease. England found him difficult to dismiss, his grit and determination would have been a valuable asset in the other 3 Tests.

Phil Hughes - 4

Hughes came into the side as the replacement for Katich. In the 2009 Ashes series he was dropped after two games as the England bowlers exposed his weakness against the short ball. This time they exposed his tendency to flash outside the off-stump as he consistently gave the slips catching practice. There were plenty of promising moments but Hughes will have to start turning these moments into long innings.

Ricky Ponting - 2

By anyone’s standards Ricky Ponting had a bad series. By his own, it was abysmal. His only score of not was an unbeaten fifty in dead circumstances at the Gabba. In his remaining innings he looked unsure of himself and never looked like scoring runs. His captaincy was far from convincing as he constantly moved fields trying to make something happen, this unsettled the bowlers as they tried to find their rhythm. His spat with the umpires at the MCG was a sad incident which showed how far Ponting has fallen from his previous greatness. Will struggle to reclaim his place in the side after Khawaja’s promising debut.

Usman Khawaja - 6

Only played one game but he showed enough class to provide rays of hope for the future of Australian cricket. Will surely be given a run at No.3 as Australia try to build a side for the future.

Michael Clarke - 3

Australia’s vice-captain had a series to forget. He was found out by England’s bowlers in this series, constantly probing outside the off-stump to deliveries he could have left alone. In his first Test as captain at Sydney he was incapable of turning round Australia’s fortunes as they were pummeled by an innings. He battled hard in the second innings and you could see the immense frustration when he departed for 41. Will keep his place in the side and may well continue as captain but will have to improve his personal form.

Mike Hussey - 8

The only reason Australia did not lose 5-0. Hussey saved Australia in Brisbane, he dragged them to a respectable total in Perth. In Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney he could do nothing to stop the England juggernaut. In the first three Tests he was invincible and was challenging Cook for the man of the series award. In the last two Tests his steam ran out as the weight of carrying Australia on his back proved too much for him to handle. The only Australian batsman to come out of this series with credibility.

Marcus North - 2

Under immense pressure coming into the series, he could not produce an innings of note and looked all at sea against England’s rampant bowling attack. Gave more to the side as a bowler than a batsman as his part-time off-spin proved useful but was jettisoned after the second Test. Surely his Test career is now finished.

Steve Smith - 4

Came into the side in Perth to bat at No.6 and get through a few overs of leg-spin. Seemed incapable of doing either of these roles. His technique is not good enough to succeed at Test level, not yet anyway. Seems unsure of his role, is he a batsman, bowler or all-rounder? It is something both Smith and the selectors need to figure out soon otherwise Smith obvious talent could be wasted.

Brad Haddin - 6

Started the series well by combining with Mike Hussey to save Australia in Brisbane. After this it all went downhill. He fell to a series of ill-judged flashes outside off-stump and his keeping was far from immaculate. Might find his place under threat from the impressive Tim Paine sooner rather than later.

Mitchell Johnson - 6

Only gets a 6 because he won the Perth Test for Australia single-handedly. Either side of this game he was at his woeful worst. His bowling was at times dangerous but more often than not it closely resembled a blind machine-gunner. His batting was similarly inconsistent. He scored two fifties but also recorded ducks. Needs to become reliable or he could find himself booted out of the side as part of a selectorial shake-up.

Peter Siddle - 7

Picked up 6 wickets in Brisbane including a birthday hat-trick. Also got 6 in Melbourne. He bowled whole-heartedly and cannot be blamed for not trying. He was the only Australian bowler who played every Test and was always the man Ricky Ponting turned to when he needed a wicket or just some control. His batting was also an added bonus for Australia as he added some gutsy lower order runs. Ended the series averaging more than Ponting and Clarke. Although that doesn’t say too much.

Ben Hilfenhaus - 4

Steady but ineffective, that is how I would describe Hilfenhaus’s series. He was regularly compared to a bowling machine, probably not in the complimentary sense. Looks like he will need to expand his repertoire if he is to continue playing Test cricket.

Ryan Harris - 5

Bowled well in Perth to take 6 wickets in the second innings and was Australia’s best bowler in the mauling at Adelaide. Was fairly unthreatening in Melbourne when he fractured his ankle to add another injury to his worryingly long list. If his injury woes do not improve I see it hard to imagine him having much of a Test career which is a big loss to Australia.

Doug Bollinger - 1

Was called up in Adelaide but was far from being fit enough. Lacked pace and looked completely unthreatening. He is a very good bowler but needs to regain form and fitness before he is recalled. Australia missed his variation throughout the series.

Xavier Doherty - 1

Replaced the unfortunate Nathan Hauritz for the first two Tests and could not have been less impressive. Offered next to no control and just bowled flatter and flatter. His Test career looks to have come to a premature end.

Michael Beer - 4

After doing his 12th man duties in Perth and Melbourne he was finally called into the side in Sydney. Despite not taking that many wickets he did offer a degree of control and was unlucky to have not taken more wickets. Should be given a run in the side as Australia look to build a new-look side.

Feel free to comment on my ratings and suggest your own.