From the SMH
Anyone up for shuffling some deck chairs on the Titanic? Phil Lutton wonders where to next as he gives out his player ratings for the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.
Australia
Simon Katich Avoided the embarrassment of a regulation dismissal in the first innings by getting run-out without facing a ball, then batted one-legged in the second. Showed true grit, as you expect from a man with the superpower of being able to grow a beard between lunch and tea, but an ankle injury means he's gone for the rest of the series. Phil Hughes, time to save your nation. No pressure, mind you. C+
Advertisement: Story continues below Shane Watson Watson's batting is more rigid than a room full of rocket scientists. Does anyone else yearn to see him just loosen the wrists a bit and go all Brian Lara for a session? Cranks out half centuries like he's on a production line but we needed a hero in this Test, not a batting clinic. B
Ricky Ponting Sure, he's on a decent pay packet and gets as many free vitamins as he likes. But put your hand up if you want to trade places with Punter right now? The stress of captaining a hopelessly outmatched and out-of-form side is starting to show in the worst possible place - his batting. He'll never claim to be the greatest skipper this country has ever had, but his batting has always papered over the strategic cracks. With the middle-order melting, he simply can't afford any more low scores. C
Michael Clarke Here's the deal. Even if you don't walk, there's no need to get on Twitter and apologise. Yes, it was clearly out. Yes, we saw you were shattered. No, you don't need to make peace with public and the English via social media. You're allowed to be visibly grumpy about losing your wicket to Kevin Pietersen. In fact, it's endearing. B
Michael Hussey As it turns out, not only is Hussey not ready to be sent away to a retirement home, he's actually our best batsman. Looks as confident and assured as ever and he's possibly the only player who can emerge from the first two Tests and genuinely say he gave his all. Might find his brother batting next to him in Perth if selectors opt for a craggy Shield veteran over an untried kid. A-
Marcus North Marcus, sit down. I have some bad news. We've gone through the replays and and your batting woes are terminal. At this stage, it's more about quality of life than aggressive treatment options. I recommend you go back to Perth, surround yourself with family and Shield players and make the best of each innings as it comes. D
Brad Haddin Behind Hussey, Haddin is looking like our second-best batsman at the moment, although like his comrades he couldn't punch out the massive innings Australia so desperately needed. He still has his moments with the gloves, as illustrated when he put down a chance off Ryan Harris in the first innings. The real question is, can he bowl? B-
Ryan Harris To shamelessly plunder a gag from a Twitter exchange (thanks Juan), Harris bought a new bat for this Test and has just put it eBay with the condition as "brand new". The poor guy went home with a king pair but he shouldn't be too disappointed. He was the only Australian bowler that emerged from this mess with his pride in tact. Bowled quick and without luck at times and deserved better than his two wickets. Should be the first flinger picked for Perth. Has that rare commodity - ticker. B
Xavier Doherty The Doherty experiment has come to a depressing end. Maybe they will recall Hauritz in Perth, or maybe Steve Smith. Maybe they won't play a spinner at all. Whatever they do, it's clear Doherty's 15 minutes have ticked over. He deserves a modicum of sympathy after being thrown to the wolves when better judges should have seen his true colours as a handy domestic tweaker. All of this on the pie-in-the-sky notion he would have Kevin Pietersen, he of the whacking great double century, all at sea because he is left-handed. At least he gets a nice green hat, which is more than some very deserving cricketers around the country can boast. E
Peter Siddle That hat-trick in Brisbane feels like it was bowled when grunge was emerging from the Seattle underground. After those giddy highs - ahhh... the giddy giddiness of it all - his place his the side will be under scrutiny ahead of the next Test. It was a deck with all the life of Lake Eyre in drought but Siddle didn't even resemble a man who looked like getting a breakthrough. D
Doug Bollinger I was a bit excited to see Bollinger back in the Test team. For about 10 overs. Possibly peaked a little early when he knocked Strauss over cheaply but after that, he was like a battery powered Christmas toy on Boxing Day. Someone plug him in to recharge. May get another crack in Perth, where he will hopefully make the keeper with just the one bounce. Pietersen gave more respect to the guy driving the inflatable drinks cart. D
England
Alistair Cook Plenty of natives thought he was Joe Average, a beige English compiler with as much batting charisma as a bag of wood. As it happens, he's possibly the best player in the history of cricket. If England bat in Perth, a tactical air strike early on day one is the only thing I can think of to knock him over. A
Andrew Strauss England's general stands on the balcony, surveys the carnage and smiles a wicked, wicked smile. At the moment, Strauss is the master of all he sees. Fair play, too. He is marshalling his side with calm assurance and has every right to believe the Ashes are staying just where they are. The loss of Stuart Broad for the series is the only thing likely to prevent him sleeping soundly. Possibly could have declared a little earlier but who's splitting hairs after that thumping. B+
Jonathan Trott The England number three has no fear of Australia. Which is bad. Because in theory, he should have been one of the weak links in the touring side. Another big score sent the tourists on their merry way. B+
Kevin Pietersen Australia's worst nightmare before this series was KP, out of touch and supposedly on the outer with management, roaring back to form. Boo! Scared yet? They should be. His double century was one of the great modern innings played on Australian soil and may remembered as the stroke of undiluted genius that was the decisive lunge in this contest. A+
Paul Collingwood Did his job with the bat, chipped in with the ball, held some crucial catches and made a very solid overall contribution. The Australians would love one or two of his type; a stubborn, fighting campaigner who can aim up under pressure. Stripped down to his jocks and did a slide in the wet to celebrate. I'm thrilled I didn't see that part for so many reasons - but mostly because he's a ginger. B
Ian Bell The biggest hit he took in the entire Test was from Shane Warne in the commentary box, who is finding it hard to believe he isn't the same bunny as he was four years ago. Believe, Shane, believe. A formidable foe who adds starch and class to England's batting roster, which is as deep as the Mariana Trench. A big ton looks just around the corner and why not? Everybody else seems to get one. B
Matt Prior Hard to get a good look at what he's capable of just at the moment. Turned the strike over well and compiled a handy 27 not out. He's been a bit like the encouraging cornerman while KP and friends pummel Australia into insignificance. B
Stuart Broad He bowled better than his figures suggest but sadly for English fans, the poster boy allrounder will miss the remainder of the series with a torn stomach muscle. Time to kick back, put the feet up, enjoy the carnage and plan his next photoshoot. B
Graeme Swann The spinner knew he had to perform on a fraying pitch and did just that. He will be sending Bollinger a lovely card for creating those deeply accommodating footmarks. His tail is in the air now and will be handful for the rest of the series. Made some key breakthroughs, none more so than the wicket of Ponting as Australia tried to save the game. A
Jimmy Anderson Who cares if he came in for some treatment in the second innings from the Aussie openers? His early strikes on day one signalled the beginning of the end. A beautiful spell of new ball bowling was rewarded with some damaging breakthroughs that gave England firm control within an hour of play. A
Steven Finn He is looking like a slow burner in Australia. Hasn't found his consistency but had it reversing in the second innings and removed Hussey with the new pill. Will surely love the bounce in Perth. B
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Topic: Ashes 2nd test, Adelaide (Read 36887 times)