PLAYER RATINGS: Labuschagne continues dominance over England but Pope on the brink

The Cricketer assesses the individual performances of the players during the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval.

Australia beat England by 275 runs in the second Ashes Test. The Cricketer rates the players out of 10...

AUSTRALIA

David Warner (95 & 13): Another missed opportunity to score a century in this series, getting out once again in the 90s. Inexplicably picked out Broad (who else) when five away. 7

Marcus Harris (3 & 23): In no real danger of losing his place with Australia 2-0 up. Four failures in a row is giving England an early foothold. The real weak link in the XI. 2

Marnus Labuschagne (103 & 51; DNB & 0-10): After failing to convert five fifties against England, Labuschagne went to three figures for the first time in the Ashes - though it was not without being given several lives. 9

Steve Smith (93 & 6; DNB & 0-0): Not had it all his own way in this series but finally got in on the act in the first innings here. Ominous. 7

Travis Head (18 & 51; DNB & 0-0): Two low-pressure innings and another fifty to add to an impressive series with the bat. 7

^{Marcus Harris' rotten form continued (William West/AFP/Getty Images)}

Cameron Green (2 & 33; 2-24 & 0-9) A cricketer with a big future. Always in the game, whether it be with the bat, ball or in the field. Got the key wicket of Root in the first innings and added some much-needed runs to help extend Australia's lead. Took the Test-deciding catch. 7

Alex Carey (51 & 6): No surprise to see him find some form with the bat on home soil. Solid again with the gloves even if he allowed one catch to pass him by. 7

Michael Neser (35 & 3; 1-33 & 1-28): An immensely popular figure rewarded for persevering and his wicket of Haseeb Hameed was received with joyous celebrations. 6.5

Mitchell Starc (39* & 19; 4-37 & 2-43): Led the attack with aplomb, continuing his stranglehold over Burns which is turning into a key battle. Got shape and hit a length England's bowlers just couldn't match. 8

Jhye Richardson (9 & 8; 0-78 & 5-42): Was highly tipped to run Starc close for the first Test but there was little evidence on that in the first innings. But in the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood he was a threat with both new balls second time around. 7

Nathan Lyon (DNB & DNB; 3-58 & 2-55): Has been the scourge of Ollie Pope and was a constant threat on this deck due to the bounce he generates. The left-handed top-order are sitting ducks at times. 7

ENGLAND

Rory Burns (4 & 34): Clinging on to his place at the top of the order after an encouraging second innings knock. Had his technique torn apart by Starc, who is in his head, not least Alastair Cook after day two dismissal. 3

Haseeb Hameed (6 & 0): Probably most at risk of being dropped from the batting line-up. Selection doesn't make sense given his history against pace and his low hands. 2

Dawid Malan (80 & 20; DNB & 2-33): The batter with perhaps the most credit in the bank from the first two Tests. Now with two scores in the 80s and looks accomplished against the Aussie pacers. 7

Joe Root (62 & 24; 1-72 & 2-27): A bruising Test for the skipper in more ways than one. Dismissal in first innings changed the momentum of the contest. Took a battering before and during play on day four. Will come in for criticism for the team selection and balance, which again looked woefully inadequate. 7

Ben Stokes (34 & 12; 3-113 & 0-24): Bar the odd lusty blow with the bat this remains a rusty tour from the England allrounder. Produced a fine catch on day four to dismiss Head, but that is his outstanding contribution of the series thus far.  5

^{Rory Burns looked vulnerable at the top of the order (William West/AFP/Getty Images)}

Ollie Pope (5 & 4): Surely the last we've seen of the Surrey batter until the SCG at the very least after three single-figure scores in four knocks. The matchup against Lyon has been hopelessly one-sided. 1

Jos Buttler (0 & 26): A varied Test. Put down several chances across both innings, his inability to cling onto Labuschagne the most galling. That said, he produced a stunner to get rid of Harris and batted with real determination on day five, putting together his second-longest Test knock. 4

Chris Woakes (24 & 44; 1-103 & 0-46): Could make a fair argument that we won't see him again during the series. Batted with spirit but was well down the pecking order with the ball and took a battering. By his own admission, didn't perform as well as in Brisbane. 4

Ollie Robinson (0 & 8; 1-45 & 2-54): Natural that as a relative newcomer to Test cricket he would start to show some jadedness. Might be rested in Melbourne. 5

Stuart Broad (9 & 9*; 1-73 & 1-27): Produced a glorious opening spell on day four and could have had three in the over on another day. That said, wasn't at his best in the first innings, among those who hit the wrong length. 6

James Anderson (5* & 2; 2-58 & 1-8) Second innings didn't lend itself to his skill-set but the first time around he was economical without being particularly threatening. 5

Our coverage of the Ashes is brought to you in association with Cricket 22

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