Ashes 2019 - our writers' awards: Top players, pet peeves and favourite moments of the series

The Cricketer's team of writers pick the best and worst of an enjoyable Test series between England and Australia

SAM MORSHEAD

England’s player of the series: I'm calling this a tie between Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad. Without Stokes, England would certainly not have won at Headingley, but Broad's extraordinary personal effort, to lead the line in the absence of his great mate Jimmy Anderson and do so with tremendous class, was superb.

Australia’s player of the series: If we are ruling out Steve Smith on the basis that he was playing 20 levels above the rest, then the next choice must surely be Pat Cummins. Some of his spells were simply fearsome, and he got through a substantial workload across the series without ever seeming to so much as break sweat.

Favourite Test: Lord's. The most obvious answer would be Headingley but I saw very little of the miracle owing to a house move and a six-a-side competition. The passage of play in the second Test around Jofra Archer's extraordinary spell at Steve Smith won't leave me for a long time. Nor will Stokes' century, or England making a late dart at victory in the gloom. 

Favourite moment of the series: Not so much a moment as a session. Smith's rearguard action with the tail at Edgbaston defined the series. He was so dominant, so in control, picking gaps at will.

Pet peeve of the series: Booing for the sake of banter. Empty noise for no reason. And after four months, incredibly tedious.

My XI of the series: Burns, Denly, Root, Smith, Labuschagne, Stokes, a wicketkeeper, Cummins, Archer, Broad, Hazlewood 

^{Australia retained the Ashes}

NICK HOWSON

England’s player of the series: Stuart Broad. There were times during this summer when  the Nottinghamshire man produced some of the best spells of his career. Bowled with rhythm and potency in equal measure, exemplified by his stranglehold over David Warner who he castled seven times.

Australia’s player of the series: Setting Steve Smith aside... Pat Cummins. That Cummins was able to follow-up playing every World Cup game by being one of five to feature in all five Ashes Tests is a feat of endurance, particularly given his infamous fitness issues. But given he did it while finishing as the top wicket-taker highlights how extraordinary his performance were.

Favourite Test: Headingley. Much like the weather across the four days, the match had violent undulations which made it one of the most memorable in recent history. Jofra Archer’s maiden five-for, England’s 67, Ben Stokes’ fireworks and Jack Leach’s glasses. What more could you ask for?

Favourite moment of the series: Ben Stokes’ switch-hit. Given the situation, it was a truly remarkable shot under pressure which sparked the 11th-wicket stand between the Durham allrounder and Leach. Nathan Lyon could only watch on as the ball disappeared into the beer-soaked Western Terrace.

Pet peeve of the series: Steve Smith’s return at Lord’s. The applause which greeted his return. Australia’s medical team. Smith’s desire to resume his innings. Nearly everything about the aftermath to the harrowing blow he took from Archer contravened basic concussion protocol. It was a period of shame for the game.

My XI of the series: Burns, Denly, Labuschagne, Smith, Stokes, Wade, Cummins, Archer, Broad, Leach, Hazlewood

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NICK FRIEND

England’s player of the series: Stuart Broad. Ben Stokes was extraordinary, but Broad’s efforts to hold a weary bowling attack together, often back out on the field far sooner than it should have been due to the batsmen’s fallibility, was a stirring display of defiance. Written off by far too many in recent times, he came to the fore in James Anderson’s absence – just as he did at Trent Bridge in 2015. A courageous, ballsy effort, whose efforts merit more acclaim. His hold over David Warner was spectacular and unprecedented.

Australia’s player of the series: Steve Smith is obviously the only answer. But if we are looking beyond the greatest player of all time, then let’s look at Marnus Labuschagne, an unheralded, low-key option in a squad missing Joe Burns and Kurtis Patterson. His success on the back of a spell at Glamorgan was a nod to the value of red-ball cricket, while his innings at Lord’s – coming in as Test cricket’s first concussion substitute – was both match-saving and series-defining.

Favourite Test: Headingley. Obviously. Utterly mental. None of what happened should have happened. Every six drifted inches over the rope, all apart from a most audacious switch-hit, which flew miles. When Tim Paine understandably replaced Josh Hazlewood – his tallest player – with Marnus Labuschagne – his best fielder, but smaller – on the long-off boundary, the next ball sailed inches over his head. Hazlewood’s extra centimetres might have taken it.. It was that kind of Test.

Favourite moment of the series: If we move beyond the final moments at Headingley when all logic disappeared – the greatest Test of them all, then let’s return to Labuschagne. When he was nailed on the grille by Jofra Archer with the second ball he faced, England sensed blood. Here was Smith’s replacement and here was England’s chance to level the series. It had all the hallmarks of a momentum-shifting day. Archer had his 96mph tail up, Broad was a fervent threat, Jack Leach was spitting the ball into the rough. But England were met with a wall – not quite as quirky as Smith, but not far behind. He faced 100 balls that day – the most important he will ever face. Only Travis Head survived more than 40.

Pet peeve of the series: The overreliance of technology from third umpires was a little bit tedious. You have eyes, Ruchira. Use them, man. The obvious benefits of Ultra Edge do appear to have replaced any use of gut instinct. When Craig Overton quite clearly middle one onto his pad, that should probably have been the end of it. Whether we needed five minutes of slow-motion replays remains up for debate.

My XI of the series: Burns, Denly, Labuschagne, Smith, Wade, Stokes, Paine, Cummins, Archer, Broad, Hazlewood

^{Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes were crucial for England}

OWEN RILEY

England’s player of the series: Hard to look beyond the man who has had this summer by the scruff of the neck. Ben Stokes’ Headingley heroics will be spoken of for many generations to come. A honourable mention goes to Rory Burns who has coped admirably in a series where opening batsmen haven’t really existed. Stuart Broad has also been understatedly excellent.

Australia’s player of the series: Are we not allowed to say Steve Smith? Marnus Labuschagne - buoyed by his superb form for Glamorgan - entered the series seamlessly and looks an assured player but Pat Cummins takes this one. The man is a beautiful bowler to watch. A constant menace through a lengthy series.

Favourite Test: Headingley it is. Everything was riding on it. Everyone was watching. The sort of cricket that stops people in the street. The level of drama that drags in a new audience without the need for gimmicks and funky marketing teams. A pure gladiatorial contest.

Favourite moment of the series: Jack Leach recreating his Headingley single in the post-match gloom or Ricky Ponting saying "wowee" on commentary.

Pet peeve of the series: The stranglehold technology has when it comes to a final decision. Surely common sense and the human eye can, at times, overrule? Warner’s first-innings dismissal at The Oval the obvious example.

My XI of the series: Burns, Denly, Root, Smith, Labuschagne, Stokes, Wade, Cummins, Archer, Hazlewood, Broad

^{Stuart Broad performed exceptionally}

THOMAS BLOW

England’s player of the series: Ben Stokes. Two centuries, leading run-scorer and that performance at Headingley. Who else could it possibly be? What makes Stokes’ performance so impressive is the fact that he seemingly gave everything in England’s World Cup win. How he was able to go again, particularly at Headingley, was truly remarkable.

Australia’s player of the series: Steve Smith. Another easy choice. 774 runs in seven innings is a feat only bettered by Sir Don Bradman, Sir Viv Richards and Sir Everton Weekes (in a single series). Knighthood on the horizon? Marnus Labuschagne also deserves a mention, who, after a brilliant season with Glamorgan, has certified his Test credentials.

Favourite Test: Headingley. The greatest Test since… South Africa v Sri Lanka at Durban, February 2019, when Kusal Perera and Vishwa Fernando put on 89 for the last wicket to secure a Sri Lankan win. 

Favourite moment of the series: Pat Cummins’ magic over. Stokes may have saved the Ashes at Headingley, but Cummins won them at Old Trafford. With England coming into bat at the end of day four, it was crucial they made it through till close. But in the first over, Cummins had Rory Burns out caught, before removing Joe Root with the perfect delivery; hitting “six and a half metres” – as David Lloyd would say – and top of off. 

Pet peeve of the series: Stubborn selectors. England’s selection in this series has been truly woeful, and as a result, Ed Smith should go. Since becoming the national selector, Smith has been intent on selecting the very best white-ball players – Jason Roy, Jos Buttler and even Joe Denly – and trying to turn them into Test players. He has no interest in county players who look to dig in and bat long; bar Burns. He is not for turning, but hopefully, the ECB are.

My XI of the series: Burns, Denly, Labuschagne, Smith, Stokes, Wade, Paine, Broad, Cummins, Hazlewood, Archer