Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

Ashes 2019: England v Australia 3rd Test Player Ratings. ENG vs AUS 3rd Test Player Ratings

2019 was supposed to be the year for white-ball cricket. Instead, we have witnessed two of the greatest Test knocks of all time within six months of each other, after Ben Stokes followed up Kusal Perera’s stunning effort in South Africa in February.

It was something we never thought we’d see again. But, don’t tell that to Stokes, who possibly topped Kusal’s effort, after the man played an incredible knock to help England lift the World Cup just six weeks ago. Indeed, a sign of a magnificent player is how well they shift through the gears, and Stokes displayed that to a tee, not caring how slowly he started, ensuring he kept England in the game until he went ballistic in a last wicket partnership where Jack Leach made the most important 1* in Ashes history.

In all honesty, how can any piece of writing from an ordinary fan be worthy in describing such a game? Test cricket was on display in all its glory and incredible unpredictability, after the first two days, marred by some awful batting, was followed up with two days of the most gripping action you never wanted to take your eyes off. After all, England won after scoring 67 and achieving their highest ever run chase in the same game. Couple that with Australia’s implosion in the final hour, including that review, which makes for talking points that will have you yapping until the next Test.

In this article, I will rate each player out of 10 in an incredible Test that kept the Ashes alive for England.

Also read: Have a Cricket Blog or looking to start one? Check out my Cricket Blogging Tips!

England

Rory Burns: England had to wear Australia down in the early stages of their big chase. Burns was a key player given he faced 500+ balls in the first two Tests alone. It wasn’t to be, though. 2

Jason Roy: Not sure if Jason Roy will wear anyone down in Test cricket. Both his technique and temperament failed him again, which gives England a decision to make as to whether he remains in the team. His second innings dismissal reflected a move on the dance floor rather than a defensive shot. 2

Joe Root: Root’s biggest contribution in the series after his second straight duck was claiming a dodgy catch in the Lord’s Test. However, he then produced a fighting knock to give England a sniff. Even though he would have liked to go on longer, he played a key role. But, like Tim Paine, Root has some captaincy improvements in him, including making better use of all his bowlers in his attack. 7

Joe Denly: It must have been a very proud moment for Joe Denly, top scoring for England in a Test innings. The problem was that it was with a score of 12, which painted a picture of just how big England’s turnaround was in the space of 24-48 hours. His partnership with Joe Root in the run chase began to turn the tide. 7

Ben Stokes: It can be easy to forget that Ben Stokes produced an incredible bowling spell to go along with his unbelievable batting effort. Jofra Archer went down with cramp on the second evening, before Stokes entered the fray and took the two big wickets of Head and Wade that kept England in with a shout. What followed was the innings of a lifetime, keeping focus after running Jos Buttler out, executing some of the best hitting you’ll see in a pressure situation. That focus was most exemplified by the fact he didn’t celebrate his century. Not even a tiny raise of the bat. Move over George Costanza, it’s not the ‘Summer of George’. It’s the Summer of Ben Stokes. 10

Also read: From the World Cup opener till an all-time Test classic. Ben Stokes’ amazing summer

Jonny Bairstow: Is Bairstow’s important stand with Stokes enough to keep him in the side? Missed chances behind the stumps plus a vulnerability on both inside and outside edge makes Ben Foakes a very tempting prospect for England, despite Foakes’ disappointing performances in the County Championship this season. 5

Jos Buttler: Buttler has not had a good 2019 when it comes to run outs. First, the Ashwin mankad in IPL 2019. Now, sold down the river by Stokes. Another quiet Test from England’s dynamic strokemaker. 2

Chris Woakes: Woakes has not had quite the impact expected of him in this series. With James Anderson a live chance of returning in the fourth Test, is it Woakes who makes way? 4

Jofra Archer: It almost has to be Woakes who makes way. Because, how could you leave this guy out? Along with his tweets that predict the future, Archer has the ability to produce great spells. The man is right in with a chance of series top wicket taker, even having played one less Test. 9

Also read: My Ashes 2019 Predictions – Will Archer come out on top?

Stuart Broad: No one can blame Broad if he goes to bed dreaming of David Warner. Headingley was another solid outing from Broad, who will be keen to have his partner in crime – James Anderson – back for the next Test. 7

Jack Leach: The most important 1* in Ashes history. Once again, Leach showed he’s too good to be at number 11, given he also scored 92 as night watchman in England’s win over Ireland last month. Credit goes to Leach, who always gets in behind the line of the ball. 7

Also read: Have a Cricket Blog or looking to start one? Check out my Cricket Blogging Tips!

Australia:

David Warner: Went past double figures for the first time in this series after the ball went past his bat numerous times. In tough conditions, Warner scored vital runs first up, but couldn’t follow it up in the second. Unlike his record vs Broad, his slip catching was superb. 7

Marcus Harris: Left-handed Cameron Bancroft? Harris got himself out after doing some hard grafting in the second innings. This was before a crucial (tough) dropped catch late on that would have meant the urn was retained for Australia. 3

Usman Khawaja: Continues to underwhelm. Since his incredible innings against Pakistan in the UAE last year, Khawaja has not done enough as Australia’s Test number three. 4

Marnus Labuschagne: He had some luck in the second innings, but no one can deny the man has character. After copping more blows on the helmet, he just kept going on about his work, surely winning a place in the XI when Steve Smith returns. Three innings, three fifties. That too in a low-scoring series. 9

Travis Head: Victim of two fine deliveries in this Test. The big question regarding Head is whether he can convert his starts to improve Australia’s dire record outside of the number four position in this series. 4

Matthew Wade: Tough luck in the first innings, but like Head, questions remain about Wade’s consistent ability to produce crucial middle order runs for Australia. His sheer weight of runs over the past 12-18 months made him a must-pick in the team. Now, he needs to show it again, provided Australia stick with him. 4

Tim Paine: Where do we start? After Paine got things wrong in the Lord’s Test, one wonders how he will get any sleep in the aftermath of this one. His use of review continues to reflect a horror story, coupled with his lack of runs. In a pressure-cooker situation, the captain needs to elicit calm. Paine didn’t, instead taking centre stage in Australia’s panic show in the final hour, where the lack of deliveries on the stumps – especially to Jack Leach – was a major blunder among others that included Nathan Lyon’s botched run out, a dropped catch and throwing the ball to the wrong end in another run out opportunity. 2

Also read: Forget Joel Wilson. Australia have no one but themselves to blame

Pat Cummins: The series’ leading wicket taker and world number one bowler couldn’t quite get things right on the final day. 7

James Pattinson: 3/56 in 30 overs across two innings in a Test are superb figures. However, with Australia missing Mitchell Starc in the final stages, will it be James Pattinson who misses out in the next Test? 7

Nathan Lyon: The missed run out with two runs needed is a moment Lyon will never forget. A tough final day for Lyon, who always looked likely to get Australia home. 4

Josh Hazelwood: Before getting taken for 18 off a single, game-turning Ben Stokes over, Hazlewood was having a Test to remember. His nine wickets put Australia on the brink of victory. 9

… and breathe. One of the most incredible games in Test history – just six weeks after the best ODI in history, confirmed just why cricket is so amazing. It is not often any sport can create such a rollercoaster of emotions in a single game, but here we all are recovering after one hell of a match.

Now, there is the very real possibility of both Steve Smith and James Anderson returning for the next test. As if it couldn’t get better. Bring on Old Trafford.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Have a Cricket Blog or looking to start one? Check out my Cricket Blogging Tips!