Johnson paves the way for Australia

Australia began the series with their least experienced Test side for 20 years and finished it with a 2-1 victory, the No. 1 Test ranking still in their grasp, and a promising list of players who they hope will carry them through the next few years. Cricinfo assesses the 12 men Australia used during the three Tests.

9.5
Mitchell Johnson
Began the series by belting 96 not out in Johannesburg and closed it with his first Test century to become Australia's third leading run-scorer for the tour. In between, picked up 16 wickets - equal top with Dale Steyn - and provided a couple of series-defining moments. Started at the Wanderers by showing off his newfound inswinger, which would torment the South Africans all trip, and bowled a brutal spell in Durban where he broke Graeme Smith's hand and reduced them effectively to 3 for 3 having got two wickets in his first over. The Player of the Series by a mile.

9
Phillip Hughes
Australia's find of the tour and potentially their biggest discovery in more than a decade. Became the youngest man in Test history to score two centuries in a match when he dominated at Kingsmead and thrived on the mini-battles with South Africa's fast men, who tried to bounce him out. The leading run scorer for either team, Hughes eliminated any worries that Australia's top order would weaken without Matthew Hayden.

7.5
Peter Siddle
Continues to impress as a Test bowler with his whole-hearted attitude and his ability to bowl fast and accurate for long periods at a time. Fought through a painful foot injury in Durban to be Australia's best bowler for the match and was a tower of strength in Cape Town when his colleagues struggled. Enjoyed a love-hate relationship with the South African crowds, who gave him something close to cult status with their constant chants directed at him.

Simon Katich
Often an immovable rock at the top of the order but the only time he went on with his strong starts was in Durban, where he scored 108 while Hughes raced to triple-figures alongside him. When finally given the ball at Kingsmead and Newlands, had a happy knack of picking up multiple wickets and collected five for the tour at an average of 10.80. Will be a key man in the Ashes.

Marcus North
Scored a composed century on debut and importantly it came on the first two days of the series, when the teams were clamouring to take the upper hand. He came in at 151 for 4 and ensured a powerful total for Australia. Collected two wickets with his handy offspin and missed the third Test through illness but has done more than enough to book his place for the tour of England.

7
Ricky Ponting
By his standards didn't have a prolific series, failing to score a century, but still averaged 35. Most importantly, his counter-attacking 83 on the first day of the first Test set the tone for Australia's fightback when they had fallen to 38 for 3 and it looked like South Africa might run away with the match. Also led strongly in the field and off it, which was crucial for such an inexperienced touring party.

6.5
Andrew McDonald
Quietly went about his business and played an important restrictive role with the ball in the first two Tests. Collected six wickets for the series and it wasn't until the final Test in Cape Town that the South Africans began to find ways to score off him. Spent the first two Tests poking tentatively with the bat but at Newlands appeared for the first time to believe he belonged in the Test arena as a batsman and played some superb drives through both sides in posting 68. Did his Ashes hopes no harm but his fate could also depend on Shane Watson's fitness.

Ben Hilfenhaus
Finished with seven wickets at 52.28 in his first Test series but figures don't tell the whole story. Bowled much better than that and was unlucky not to strike more often with his fast, swinging deliveries, which will be dangerous in England should he win a spot on the tour. The signs were there when he struck with his second ball in Test cricket, a beautiful outswinger that had Hashim Amla caught at slip.

6
Michael Clarke
Like the skipper, the vice-captain was down on his batting output and his only half-century was 68 in the first innings of the series. But like Ponting it was a critical contribution when their team was foundering and their 113-run stand was the key to putting Australia's first Test, and ultimately series, back on track.

5.5
Brad Haddin
Another man whose only half-century came in the first innings at the Wanderers. Haddin had a disappointing series with the gloves, fumbling a bit too often, although there were no match-changing clangers. Has had a heavy workload over the summer and might benefit from some rest before the long and arduous Ashes tour, where he will have a big role to play.

5
Michael Hussey
It's hard to know what has happened to Mr Cricket over the past year. He is in the midst of his longest lean patch at international level and a top score of 50 in the three Tests was a concern. That half-century came only after a referral-assisted reprieve, when his lbw dismissal was found to have pitched marginally outside leg stump. In the third Test in Cape Town his batting seemed to have improved and he played some superb shots but couldn't capitalise on his starts.

2
Bryce McGain
It really was a horror tour for McGain. He started by missing the plane back home in Australia and then was ill with gastro in Potchefstroom, where he was also hit around the park on a flat pitch in the tour match. The joy of his Test debut in Cape Town was short-lived and his 18 overs cost 149 runs. Will not give up on his international dreams but must have slipped down the spin pecking order.