England player ratings as Root’s side surrender the Ashes to Australia

12/28/2021

In 12 days either side of Christmas, England lost the Ashes and their cricketing dignity with more than half the series still left to play.

At 11.50am on day three of the third Test at the MCG, Cam Green captured the final English wicket to rout them for 68 in their second innings as they lost by an innings and 14 runs.

This was not just an Ashes defeat, it was an utter capitulation. A surrender that simply must bring about real and meaningful change when it comes to the way England addresses Test cricket.

In just four overs, Australia 's journeyman debutant, Scott Boland picked up the incredible figures of 6-7 to complete the misery on the worst display of Ashes cricket your correspondent has ever seen.

It was an abject effort from the entire lineup who are simply done with cricket out here.

Here are the England player ratings…

Haseeb Hameed – 2

If he had survived the last hour on Day 2, he may well have built on it, but he didn’t and registered two more failures. Looks out of depth.

Zak Crawley – 3

Has had no match cricket to get ready for his task so will cut some slack for that, but his booming drive that he missed in the 1st innings showed he has learnt little in his time out of the side.

Dawid Malan – 4

The exertions of the first two Tests have caught up with him. Got a stiff decision in the second innings, but started the trouble in the first.

Joe Root – 6

The only player who looked capable of coming through the storm. Second innings he had nothing left but he will be disappointed with the first dismissal. Captaincy left a lot to be desired.

Ben Stokes – 5

Starting to show the value of having played some games, but didn’t go on in either innings through his own shot selection.

Jonny Bairstow – 5

Promising return to begin with but no-one wanted to stay with him. Was also stuffed by the decision in the second innings by the umpire. Could take the gloves in Sydney.

Jos Buttler – 1

Competent enough with the gloves in this game but his effort with the bat in the first innings was just about the worst in recent memory.

Ollie Robinson – 5

Showed a bit of batting prowess late on but with the ball he was again on the money. And showed character in getting past his cramp to bowl on.

Mark Wood – 7

Wholehearted effort from the fastest bowler on show. Deserved more rewards and should be relied on more heavily going forward.

Jack Leach – 2

Pretty ineffectual with the ball, clubbed a few with the bat. Just not doing the job he was brought here to do. Not trusted enough by England and easy to see why.

James Anderson – 8

Produced his best performance of the trip and arguably his career in Australia. Couldn’t have done anymore to help his skipper, but still it wasn’t enough.

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