The Ashes first Test player ratings: Australia

Australia have cruised to victory in the first Test.

Published by
Scott Pryde

Australia have taken England to the cleaners in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, winning by nine wickets.

Here are Zero Wicket's player ratings for the Aussies.

1. David Warner - 9/10
On a tough second morning of batting, Warner was rock solid for the Aussies. He played and missed plenty of times, but that came with the territory of the conditions he was batting in.

Wore some on the body too, but just kept going before eventually falling just short of what would have been an excellent century.

2. Marcus Harris - 2/10
Unlike his opening partner, Harris struggled against the new ball and was eventually dismissed for three off 17 balls at the crease in an innings which never looked like it was going to get going.

The English bowlers had his measure from the get-go, and he will need big runs in Adelaide to save his place in the team.

3. Marnus Labuschagne - 9/10
Labuschagne was alongside Warner for most of his partnership and a big part of the reason the middle order didn't face extreme pressure when they came to the crease.

Labuschagne ended up with 74, and at a fair clip, putting the pressure back on the English bowlers constantly, with Jack Leach bearing the full brunt of his attacking onslaught.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Marnus Labuschagne of Australia reacts after facing his first ball from Jofra Archer of England during day five of the 2nd Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on August 18, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

4. Steve Smith - 4/10
Smith was dismissed for just 12 in the first innings of the series, and while it's hard to judge over the top fiven he hasn't played a red ball game in 12 months, he looked well short of anything approaching form.

Reports of his demise at Test level are well and truly overdone, but it'll still be a worry for the Aussies if he can't turn it around in Adelaide.

5. Travis Head - 10/10
There was no player who entered the first Test under more pressure for his spot than Travis Head.

He has all but locked up number five for the rest of the series following an excellent 152 on the afternoon of Day 2 which buried any hopes of England getting back into the contest.

6. Cameron Green - 5/10
Green's unfortunate lowlight from the Test which will stick with him and his name for the rest of the summer was that leave in the first innings when he was bowled first ball.

So while he loses points for his batting, Green proved a viable fifth option with the ball, particularly in the second dig where he took two wickets and kept things very tight across his 12 overs.

7. Alex Carey - 6/10
While some may elect to only judge Carey on his batting, which, granted, wasn't great, his wicket-keeping is also worth a mention.

He had eight dismissals for the match - almost half of Australia's total - and kept beautifully behind the pegs to Australia's world-class bowling line-up.

8. Pat Cummins - 9/10
First Test as captain, but yet another Test as Australia's leading light with the ball for Pat Cummins.

One of the best Test bowlers in the world at the moment, Cummins picked up a five-for in the first innings, before adding another two in the second to finish with seven wickets for the match.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 17: Tim Paine of Australia, Pat Cummins of Australia, Steve Smith of Australia and Marnus Labuschagne of Australia after the signing of the national anthem during day one of the First Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 17, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

9. Mitchell Starc - 8/10
Starc was fantastic in the first innings, but loses some points for his second innings where he went at almost four runs per over and only picked up a single wicket from 20 overs.

It's the second innings form which had people calling for Jhye Richardson to play, but the first innings - and the first ball of the match - sends a genuine reminder of what he can do with the ball, and why he is so dangerous.

10. Nathan Lyon - 7/10
Lyon bowled well without any luck in the first innings, and remained stuck on 399 Test wickets.

That was until the second innings when he led Australia's bowling attack to take four wickets and finally rediscover some of the form which has made him Australia's leading spinner over the years, and the country's best off-spinner of all-time.

11. Josh Hazlewood - 7/10
Hazlewood was at his consistent best at the Gabba, but it's nothing less than you'd expect from the tall quick.

He found the right lines and lengths on a consistent basis, and went for just 74 runs off 27 overs in the match. His injury is a concern though, and Australia will be hopeful that he can back up for the pink ball Test in South Australia.

Total: 76/110

Published by
Scott Pryde