Australia legend Mike Hussey and former England skipper Michael Vaughan review the performances of the respective XIs
Third Test wash-up: Every player rated
Australia player ratings: Mike Hussey
DAVID WARNER – 4/10
Warner got a start but couldn’t go on with it, which is a tale of his series so far. That will be playing on his mind a bit and we haven’t seen the ultra-aggressive David Warner yet, partly due to the defensive fields that Joe Root has been setting for him. But he’s a class player and I’m sure a big score is around the corner.
CAMERON BANCROFT – 4/10
Bancroft got a good ball from Overton, and much like his opening partner, once again got a start but couldn’t carry on. He’s looking comfortable but it’s still going to take time to find a way to convert those starts.
USMAN KHAWAJA – 6.5/10
He did all the hard work, batted well for his 50 and looked really disappointed when he was trapped lbw. In the last 12 Tests he’s batted on home soil he’s posted 11 scores of 50 or more, showing his remarkable consistency on Australian pitches.
STEVE SMITH – 10/10
We thought he couldn’t get any better than Brisbane but he’s once again raised the bar and stamped himself as the premier batsman in the world and perhaps the best since Bradman. His reaction when he reached 200 reminded me of William Wallace from Braveheart. He’s just been so determined to win back the Ashes it has looked as though nothing can stop him.
SHAUN MARSH – 4/10
Much like Warner and Bancroft, Marsh got a start and couldn’t push on. He looked so comfortable out there it was surprising when he was dismissed by Moeen Ali.
MITCHELL MARSH – 8.5/10
I’ve never seen him bat so well in my life. A truly incredible innings. His straight driving was so powerful. He worked hard on his batting during his injury layoff and it’s paid the ultimate dividends. He looked a tad underdone with the ball but will get better as the series goes on and dropped a catch, which was the only thing costing him a perfect 10!
TIM PAINE – 7.5/10
I thought his keeping was exceptional on day one on a fast and bouncy WACA wicket. He was like an Olympic gymnast the way he was leaping around behind the stumps. He then chipped in with a well-made 49 not out and has looked right at home in the Test arena.
MITCHELL STARC – 8/10
He just keeps taking wickets, which makes him just so valuable. Removed both openers in the first innings and then cleaened up the tail. But the best was yet to come when he castled James Vince on day four, a ball that would have got Don Bradman out! Starc does have a bruised heel which may need to be nursed in the lead up to the Boxing Day Test.
PAT CUMMINS – 7/10
Proved once what an all-round asset to this team with wickets and runs in the first innings. Another Test match under the belt with a maiden Boxing Day Test up next.
NATHAN LYON – 6.5/10
The pitch in Perth hasn’t suited him as much as the first two Test matches but certainly did his job, picking up two crucial wickets in the second innings. Joe Root is the key wicket in England’s batting order and his departure at the hand of Lyon went a long way in Australia regaining the Ashes. His stranglehold over Moeen Ali continues after he dismissed him for the fifth time in six innings this series.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD – 8.5/10
He’s just getting better and better as the series goes on. Hazlewood might have been a touch underdone with only one JLT Sheffield Shield match under his belt but now he’s hitting peak form. When he’s at his best, Hazlewood bowls no looseners and that was the case here in Perth. He’s been relentless and offered the English no respite.
England player ratings: Michael Vaughan
Alastair Cook – 3
For the first time ever I wonder if he is premeditating the short ball.
Mark Stoneman – 6
Stoneman showed great fight to score that half-century in the first innings, and great character, too.
James Vince – 7
He looked fantastic in the second innings before that freak delivery from Mitchell Starc. I hope that’s the making of him as a Test player.
Joe Root – 4
This is the first time I have seen him play a drained shot in the second innings. Will be disappointed with his return with the bat.
Dawid Malan – 9.5
An outstanding performance and the standout positive in the series so far for this England team.
Jonny Bairstow – 9
Scored a magnificent first Ashes century and justified his move up to No.6 in England’s batting order in place of Moeen Ali.
Moeen Ali – 1
Nowhere with the ball or bat and his position for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne must now be in doubt.
Chris Woakes – 5
He is a whole-hearted team man but has just lacked the skills to prosper as a bowler in Australia so far.
Craig Overton – 5
Showed huge courage to play through a fractured rib and was the best of England’s bowlers for England until the fourth day.
Stuart Broad – 2
He is really struggling for rhythm and form. He has a sore knee, which doesn’t help. But, like Moeen, he is another whose place is again in doubt for Melbourne.
James Anderson – 7
The best of England’s senior players and the only one to be playing anywhere near a par standard.
2017-18 International Fixtures
Magellan Ashes Series
Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.
England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.
First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard
Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard
Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard
Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets
Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets
Gillette ODI Series v England
First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets
Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets
Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets
Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets
Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets
Prime Minister's XI
PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets
Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series
First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets
Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets
Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets
Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14
Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16
Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18
Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21