Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

Ashes 2019: England v Australia 5th Test Player Ratings. ENG vs AUS 5th Test Player Ratings

This Ashes series, before underway, was billed as the battle of the flawed. Fast forward six weeks, and you could see why. 2-2 could have been 3-2 to England. 2-2 could have even been 4-0 to Australia.

But, from an Australian perspective, 2-2 should have been 3-1 to Australia. In the end, Tim Paine’s side achieved what they came to achieve: retain the Ashes. However, the series leaves a bit of an empty feeling among Australia fans, given that the best Test batsman and bowler are within their ranks. Worse, they both produced superhuman efforts (774 runs and 29 wickets respectively), only to walk away with a drawn series.

For England, the win at The Oval was a fitting end to one hell of a summer. Their World Cup win will be etched in the memory of all associated with it. However, like Australia, England have plenty of adjustments to make, with the number one priority being transferring seamlessly from the white-ball to Test format. Their dominant win at The Oval in the final Ashes Test needs to be a springboard for better things in the coming months.

In this article, let’s take a look at each player in the final Ashes Test and rate them out of 10.

Also read: Check out how my 5 Ashes Predictions turned out

England

Rory Burns: Burns is a player that has enhanced his reputation in this series. The survivor of an opening pair that looked very shaky before the series, Burns’ 390 runs at 39.00 is by far and away the best by any opener this series. Two unconverted starts in this Test with Australia for the taking would have been frustrating, though. However, his fielding in the cordon is something special. 6.5

Joe Denly: Dropped by Marcus Harris (who will likely face the same fate from Australian selectors), Denly made Australia pay for that costly miss. Just missed out on his first Test ton, but you’d think he has done enough for England to persist with him. 8

Joe Root: Root must have thought Christmas had come early. Sent in on arguably the best batting pitch England, Root was dropped three times before reaching 35. That’s where he should really punish Australia. He didn’t. Starts yet again. 6.5

Ben Stokes: Joe Root’s right-hand man in the slip cordon. His second innings stand of 127 with Joe Denly took the game away from Australia. Another second innings century was beckoning before getting castled by a dream Nathan Lyon delivery. 7

Jonny Bairstow: Spot hanging by a thread? One of England’s most solid Test bats four years ago, Bairstow’s Test game has fallen victim to his rise in the ODI format. He is a sitting duck against the moving ball, even though he was done in by a superb piece of bowling by Marsh in the first innings. 4

Jos Buttler: A very solid finish to the series: 192 runs in his final four innings, with 117 in this Test. The runs he scored on the first evening were crucial. He ended with 70, and England then took a lead of 69. 8

Sam Curran: You have to scratch your head and wonder why Curran only played one Test in this series. India fans know full well of Curran’s ability with bat and ball in home conditions. Indeed, his swing bowling in the first innings was something to behold. 7

Chris Woakes: More was expected of Chris Woakes right throughout the series. However, he can proudly gloat about getting Steve Smith to miss one on his pads. 4

Jofra Archer: A superb end to a superb debut Test series. Tore Australia apart with six wickets, before bowling a great spell to Matt Wade in the second dig. Finished third in the wickets column behind Pat Cummins and Stuart Broad, who were both brilliant across all five Tests. 8.5

Jack Leach: Frustrated Australia with late-order resistance again, to go with wickets with the ball. His wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Tim Paine would have been especially pleasing. 7.5

Stuart Broad: It would be a shock if Broad doesn’t have a picture of David Warner on his bedside table yet. Strong end to a strong series, finishing with 23 wickets. Seven of them were Warner. 8

Also read: Check out how my 5 Ashes Predictions turned out

Australia

David Warner: Warner can tell his grandkids he broke world records in England in 2019. He doesn’t have to tell them it’s the most single digit scores by any player in a single Test series in history (eight). 1

Marcus Harris: Joe Burns must still be wondering how he missed out on selection. Usman Khawaja will be wondering why it was he who was dropped. 1

Marnus Labuschagne: No fifty this time but a significant positive for Australia in this series. His spot is locked in for the start of the Australian summer. 6

Steve Smith: Walked off to a standing ovation after finally getting dismissed for a sub-50 score this series. Australia’s insatiable run-scoring machine was again left to keep Australia in the contest. If you have a single player score 774 runs and the team still doesn’t win the series, other batsmen in the side need to have a long look at themselves. Also, we have to mention that incredible catch. 7.5

Matthew Wade: A really brilliant second innings century. Wade’s spot was in question after a lack of runs since the first Test, but the way he played Jack Leach and withstood Jofra Archer was a significant positive for Australia in this match. Unfortunately, the lack of runs elsewhere was costly. That’s what Steve Smith goes through. 8.5

Mitchell Marsh: “Most of Australia hate me”, said Marsh after day one. Hate is too strong of a word. He needs to take his opportunities better, particularly with the bat. He is fine fifth bowling option, as his great five-for showed. But, he needs runs. 7.5

Tim Paine: It is only fitting that Tim Paine’s series ended with an unsuccessful review. Indeed, he might like to review his decisions in this Test. He won the toss and sent England in on one of the best batting tracks in the country. This is after a very short turnaround after the fourth Test. And with Peter Siddle in the side over Mitchell Starc. Paine deserved praise at Old Trafford, but like Headingley, mistakes were made. A series win down the drain. 3

Pat Cummins: Ran in and bowled his heart out with little support from his fielders. To finish with 29 wickets without a five-wicket haul is both cruel and amazing at the same time. 7

Josh Hazlewood: Threatened on occasions but didn’t have the impact he did in previous Tests. 5

Peter Siddle: Siddle will run and try his best all day. However, to pick him over Mitchell Starc with Mitch Marsh in the team was not the right call. Worse, with his job to stop the scoring, Siddle went for nearly four an over across the two innings. Add a dropped catch on the first day. 3

Nathan Lyon: Some absolutely superb bowling in the second dig. It really was an exhibition at times from Lyon, who finished the series as he started – in the wickets. 7

So, Australia retain the Ashes, but it was a disappointing end to the series against an England side that, to their credit, remained in the fight.

Australia’s next Test assignment is Pakistan in November. England have a tough test in New Zealand in the same month. Will there be changes for both teams? We’ll see.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Check out how my 5 Ashes Predictions turned out

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