Australia unearth two promising prospects
Australia claimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by beating India 2-0. Here's a rating of the performances of players who made those results
Brydon Coverdale
11-Jan-2015
9.5
Steven Smith
Scored 769 runs at 128.16, breaking Don Bradman's record for most runs in an Australia-India series. Was also the first Australian since Bradman to score four hundreds in consecutive Tests in a series, and all of Smith's came in the first innings when the Tests were there to be set up. Most notably, he took over the captaincy from the injured Michael Clarke after the Adelaide win, and led from the front in the best possible way. Deservedly the Player of the Series.
Scored 769 runs at 128.16, breaking Don Bradman's record for most runs in an Australia-India series. Was also the first Australian since Bradman to score four hundreds in consecutive Tests in a series, and all of Smith's came in the first innings when the Tests were there to be set up. Most notably, he took over the captaincy from the injured Michael Clarke after the Adelaide win, and led from the front in the best possible way. Deservedly the Player of the Series.
8.5
David Warner
Made three hundreds in the series and lifted when the side needed a morale boost in both Adelaide and Sydney. Warner's 145 in the first innings in Adelaide was full of raw emotion as the Australians returned to cricket following the death of Phillip Hughes, and his second innings hundred there helped set up the victory. His 101 on their return to the SCG, where Hughes was struck, was again poignant.
Made three hundreds in the series and lifted when the side needed a morale boost in both Adelaide and Sydney. Warner's 145 in the first innings in Adelaide was full of raw emotion as the Australians returned to cricket following the death of Phillip Hughes, and his second innings hundred there helped set up the victory. His 101 on their return to the SCG, where Hughes was struck, was again poignant.
Nathan Lyon
The major question surrounding Lyon as a Test bowler was his ability to bowl Australia to victory on the fifth day of a match. He answered emphatically at Adelaide Oval, where he claimed 7 for 152 in the second innings, when India were threatening to pull off their chase, and 12 for the match. Finished as the leading wicket taker from either side with 23 at 34.82, and 17 of those came in the two victories.
The major question surrounding Lyon as a Test bowler was his ability to bowl Australia to victory on the fifth day of a match. He answered emphatically at Adelaide Oval, where he claimed 7 for 152 in the second innings, when India were threatening to pull off their chase, and 12 for the match. Finished as the leading wicket taker from either side with 23 at 34.82, and 17 of those came in the two victories.
8
Michael Clarke
The way Smith led from the front it is easy to forget that Clarke captained Australia to the first win, in Adelaide. His 128 in the first innings set Australia's series up and was masterful for his management of his emotions, so soon after delivering a eulogy at Hughes' funeral, and for the way he completed it after retiring hurt with a hamstring injury. Clarke missed the rest of the series, but declared Adelaide the most important Test match of his career.
The way Smith led from the front it is easy to forget that Clarke captained Australia to the first win, in Adelaide. His 128 in the first innings set Australia's series up and was masterful for his management of his emotions, so soon after delivering a eulogy at Hughes' funeral, and for the way he completed it after retiring hurt with a hamstring injury. Clarke missed the rest of the series, but declared Adelaide the most important Test match of his career.
7.5
Chris Rogers
An average of 52.12 in a four-Test series in which he didn't score a century is proof of Rogers' consistency throughout the campaign. He finished with six consecutive half-centuries, including 95 in the first innings in Sydney, and although he would be disappointed not to have scored his fifth Test century, Rogers provided important solidity at the top of the order.
An average of 52.12 in a four-Test series in which he didn't score a century is proof of Rogers' consistency throughout the campaign. He finished with six consecutive half-centuries, including 95 in the first innings in Sydney, and although he would be disappointed not to have scored his fifth Test century, Rogers provided important solidity at the top of the order.
Josh Hazlewood
Began the series uncapped, finished it as the only bowler from either side averaging under 30. Hazlewood's 12 wickets at 29.33 included a five-for on debut in Australia's second victory at the Gabba, and his consistent lines, sharp bounce and subtle swing made him a handful for India's batsmen even on docile pitches. An exciting prospect for the future.
Began the series uncapped, finished it as the only bowler from either side averaging under 30. Hazlewood's 12 wickets at 29.33 included a five-for on debut in Australia's second victory at the Gabba, and his consistent lines, sharp bounce and subtle swing made him a handful for India's batsmen even on docile pitches. An exciting prospect for the future.
7
Ryan Harris
Ten wickets in three Tests was not quite the return Harris might have liked but he was consistently at the India batsmen and built pressure. He was also Man of the Match in the draw at the MCG, where his six wickets for the match were complemented by 74 and 21 with the bat.
Ten wickets in three Tests was not quite the return Harris might have liked but he was consistently at the India batsmen and built pressure. He was also Man of the Match in the draw at the MCG, where his six wickets for the match were complemented by 74 and 21 with the bat.
Mitchell Johnson
Generally lacked the brute impact of last summer's Ashes and was a little down on pace, but 13 wickets in three Tests was still an adequate outcome. Most notably, Johnson fired up in the victory in Brisbane, where his 4 for 61 in the second innings followed 88 with the bat, and was key to Australia taking a 2-0 lead.
Generally lacked the brute impact of last summer's Ashes and was a little down on pace, but 13 wickets in three Tests was still an adequate outcome. Most notably, Johnson fired up in the victory in Brisbane, where his 4 for 61 in the second innings followed 88 with the bat, and was key to Australia taking a 2-0 lead.
5
Shaun Marsh
Made 254 runs at 42.33 in his return to the side after being dropped in South Africa. His steadying second innings in Melbourne was important to Australia getting firmly on top; getting run out for 99 was far from the perfect ending, though. Also contributed 73 at the SCG, but his catching was poor throughout the series.
Made 254 runs at 42.33 in his return to the side after being dropped in South Africa. His steadying second innings in Melbourne was important to Australia getting firmly on top; getting run out for 99 was far from the perfect ending, though. Also contributed 73 at the SCG, but his catching was poor throughout the series.
Brad Haddin
Struggled with the bat, especially against the short ball, but made 55 in the first innings in Melbourne. With the gloves, Haddin's work varied from the sublime - a number of diving catches that would be athletic for a 27-year-old, let alone a 37-year-old - to the ridiculous, like not going for a much simpler take at the MCG that flew between Haddin and first slip. Fortunately it was mostly the former.
Struggled with the bat, especially against the short ball, but made 55 in the first innings in Melbourne. With the gloves, Haddin's work varied from the sublime - a number of diving catches that would be athletic for a 27-year-old, let alone a 37-year-old - to the ridiculous, like not going for a much simpler take at the MCG that flew between Haddin and first slip. Fortunately it was mostly the former.
Joe Burns
A pair of fifties in Sydney confirmed that Burns belongs at this level, after a nervy start at the MCG. His 33-ball half-century in the second innings at the SCG was as entertaining as it was selfless as Australia pushed for quick runs late on the fourth day. Needs to work on his short-leg fielding.
A pair of fifties in Sydney confirmed that Burns belongs at this level, after a nervy start at the MCG. His 33-ball half-century in the second innings at the SCG was as entertaining as it was selfless as Australia pushed for quick runs late on the fourth day. Needs to work on his short-leg fielding.
Mitchell Marsh
Scored 41 and 40 in Adelaide and claimed his first Test wicket in Brisbane, but then sustained a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the rest of the series. His second innings in Adelaide was especially impressive for its selflessness - 40 off 26 balls as Australia set a target.
Scored 41 and 40 in Adelaide and claimed his first Test wicket in Brisbane, but then sustained a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the rest of the series. His second innings in Adelaide was especially impressive for its selflessness - 40 off 26 balls as Australia set a target.
4.5
Shane Watson
Scored 238 runs at 29.75 and took five wickets at 48.80. His best came in the last Test of the series; in Sydney he scored 81 and claimed three victims. For most of the series he continued his trend of making starts but failing to capitalise, not what Australia needs from their No.3. As he has for ten years, Watson contributed bits and pieces here and there, but Australia still have not worked out how best to use him.
Scored 238 runs at 29.75 and took five wickets at 48.80. His best came in the last Test of the series; in Sydney he scored 81 and claimed three victims. For most of the series he continued his trend of making starts but failing to capitalise, not what Australia needs from their No.3. As he has for ten years, Watson contributed bits and pieces here and there, but Australia still have not worked out how best to use him.
Mitchell Starc
Disappointing with the ball in Brisbane, though contributed 52 with the bat. Returned much better in Sydney, where he found swing and pace and claimed five wickets in the Test.
Disappointing with the ball in Brisbane, though contributed 52 with the bat. Returned much better in Sydney, where he found swing and pace and claimed five wickets in the Test.
2
Peter Siddle
Two wickets at 54.50 in Adelaide, and then was dropped.
Two wickets at 54.50 in Adelaide, and then was dropped.
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @brydoncoverdale