PLAYER RATINGS: Travis Head, Australia's bowlers and Mark Wood shine in Hobart

The Cricketer assesses the individual performances of the players during the fifth and final Ashes Test at Hobart's Bellerive Oval

Australia beat England by 146 runs in the fifth Ashes Test. The Cricketer rates the players out of 10…

AUSTRALIA

David Warner (0 & 0): A poor showing with the bat to record the second pair of his career. A victim of the early movement on day one and Stuart Board’s bunny on day two. Dropped Chris Woakes on 0 in the first innings. 1

Usman Khawaja (6 & 11): Brought back down to earth with a bump following his twin hundreds at the SCG. Slow to get going in both innings and copped for a vicious bouncer from Mark Wood in the second. Dropped Woakes on five in the first innings. 2

Marnus Labuschagne (44 & 5): Important knock in the first innings to get Australia back into the game, coming off a brisk 53 runs. Lost his concentration for his first dismissal (although it was possibly the moment of the series) and strangled cheaply by Woakes in the second innings. Good runout of Rory Burns. 6

Steve Smith (0 & 27): A rare duck in the first but held Australia together nicely overnight after they slipped to 5 for 2 in the second. Quiet in the field. 4

Travis Head (101 & 8): His first innings century was arguably the best knock of the Ashes: fluid, counter-attacking and ultimately match-winning. Enjoyed good partnerships with Labuschagne and Cameron Green and not even his poor second innings can knock the shine off him. 8.5

^{Marnus Labuschagne was knocked over by Stuart Broad [Robert Cianflone/Getty Images]}

Cameron Green (74 & 23; 1-45 & 3-21): A thoroughly impressive match in all three areas from the youngster. Ably supported Head’s counter-attacking batting in the first innings, hung in there with Alex Carey in the second as Australia wobbled on 63 for 6, and took three vital wickets either side of tea on day three to kickstart England’s collapse. Solid at gully. 9

Alex Carey (24 & 49; 5 catches): Failed to build on a promising start in the first innings and rode his luck in the second but made the most of his opportunity with a vital 49. Very tidy with the gloves in both innings and took a fine one-handed catch to dismiss Woakes. Probably prolonged his Test career in Hobart. 6.5

Mitchell Starc (3 & 1; 3-53 & 1-30): No fireworks with the bat and a touch expensive with the ball at times. However, he still picked up 4 for 83 from 18 overs, including the crucial wicket of Woakes in the first innings, and played his part well. 6.5

Pat Cummins (2 & 13; 4-45 & 3-42): Removed three of England’s top-four in the first innings  and took three important wickets, including the final two to fall, in the second. Handy 30-run partnership with Carey to see Australia’s lead beyond the 250-mark. Captaincy appears to suit him. 8

Nathan Lyon (31 & 4*): Wasn’t needed with the ball so brought the fireworks with the bat and in the field. Blasted Mark Wood for three sixes to help Australia’s tail add 62 runs on day two. Also took two diving screamers to dismiss Ben Stokes, the first at point and the second at deep square leg. 6.5

Scott Boland (10* & 8 as nightwatchman; 1-33 & 3-18): The man with the Midas touch added four more wickets to the collection. A tidy second innings showing – 3 for 18 off 12 – took his Test average back below 10 while his dismissal of Joe Root sealed England’s fate. Handy showing as nightwatchman in the second, eating up 33 deliveries. 8

^{Australia's bowlers [Robert Cianflone/Getty Images]}

ENGLAND

Rory Burns (0 & 26): Unlucky to be runout for a duck in the first innings and rode, like Carey, rode his luck slightly in the second. Four boundaries showed promise, but he undid all of his hard work by chopping onto his stumps just before tea and his wicket opened the floodgates. 3

Zak Crawley (18 & 36): Laid the foundations with the bat before having his planning permission revoked. Good contribution in the field with four first innings catches but sadly his performance is memorable for two other reasons. Firstly, him running out Burns for a duck. Secondly, dropping Labuschagne on 0 on day one. 4

Dawid Malan (25 & 10): Threw away a promising start in the first innings by going after a harmless delivery from Cummins and never settled in the second. Faded badly as the series went on. 3

Joe Root (34 & 11; 0-35): Copped for a tight lbw call in one innings and a Boland snorter in the other and wasn’t helped by his teammates chucking wickets away willy-nilly. Hampered by Robinson’s injury and forced to bowl himself under lights with little success. 5

Ben Stokes (4 & 5): Played as a specialist batter but did not look comfortable given his injury. In hindsight, he probably shouldn’t have been on the pitch. 2

Ollie Pope (14 & 5): Playing in place of Jonny Bairstow, Pope offered little with the bat and departed for two soft dismissals – the first, in particular, was a gift as he chased a ball on his eighth stump. Took a couple of nice catches at short leg. 3

^{Stuart Broad celebrating the wicket of David Warner [Steve Bell/Getty Images]}

Sam Billings (29 & 1; 5 catches): Efficient with the gloves and took five catches, including a smart dive to dismiss Labuschagne. His first innings with the bat showed promise, with positive play and some nice boundaries, but the second was a damp squib and endemic of England’s current batting form. 5

Chris Woakes (36 & 5; 2-64 & 1-40): A poor series with the ball for Woakes epitomised by his front foot no ball to reprieve Carey on 19 in the second innings. Picked up three wickets, including Head (after his century) and Labuschagne, while his 36 – England’s top score – rescued his side from 110 for 6 in the first innings. Showed spirit. 6

Mark Wood (16 & 11; 3-115 & 6-37): Recovered from a shocking start with the ball on day one to post career-best Test figures on day three. Dynamite with the short ball and made more than a couple of Aussies look like fools. Thoroughly deserved his five-for and chipped in with the bat. England’s best player. 8.5

Stuart Broad (0 & 1*; 3-59 & 3-51): Impressed with the ball once again to make England’s decision to not play him on two occasions. Controlled the start of every session and took six crucial wickets (Khawaja, Labuschagne, Lyon on 31, Warner, Green, and Carey). Like Wood, did not deserve to be on the losing side. 8

Ollie Robinson (0* & 0; 2-24 & 0-23): Bowled beautifully during the opening 12 or so overs on day one and had Australia at his mercy with his consistent line and length. Largely a bystander for the next two days but did chip in with 11 tidy, if not particularly threatening, overs in the second innings. Injuries are a concern. 6.5

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