PLAYER RATINGS: Scott Boland stars as England wilt in shambolic fashion

The Cricketer assesses the individual performances of the players during the third Ashes Test at the MCG

Australia beat England by an innings and 14 runs in the third Ashes Test. The Cricketer rates the players out of 10...

AUSTRALIA

David Warner (38): Gave Australia a fast start after England were bowled out cheaply on the first evening. 6

Marcus Harris (76): Not the most assured knock of all time but perhaps one of the most significant in Harris' international career. He scrapped for a half century which, in the context of a low-scoring game that was dominated by quality seam-bowling, went a long way to winning the match for his country. 8

Nathan Lyon (10 as nightwatchman; 3-36): Three valuable wickets on the first day, the first of which was gifted to the off-spinner by Jos Buttler. He wasn't required second time around. 6

Marnus Labuschagne (1): A rare failure for the world's top-ranked Test batter. Mark Wood came wide on the crease and enticed him to poke at a ball he need not have played at. 2

Steve Smith (16): Skittish and brilliantly tested by James Anderson, who deserved his wicket having already had him dropped once. 3

Travis Head (27): Given easy runs by England, who opted to greet him with a defensive field and the left-arm spin of Jack Leach, who provided no threat against the left-handers. Edged Robinson to Root. 4

^{Mitchell Starc was excellent for Australia (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)}

Cameron Green (17; 1-7 & 1-8) Trapped in front by Leach, who caused the allrounder more trouble. But with the ball and in the gully, England had no answer. Fitting that the new kid on the block should end it all. 7

Alex Carey (19): Mostly tidy with the gloves, though missed a chance on the second evening. Yet to make a big score with the bat, but his ability is doubtless. 5

Pat Cummins (21; 3-36 & 0-19): Didn't an error as captain - from winning the toss on the first morning to throwing the ball to Scott Boland for a single over on the second evening that resulted in two wickets. Cummins himself only picked up three England batters, but he truly was the pick of Australia's excellent, relentless seam attack. 8

Mitchell Starc (24; 2-54 & 3-29): It seems mad to think that there were question-marks over Starc's position coming into this series. He led the attack in the absences of Cummins and Josh Hazlewood at Adelaide, before backing up that performance here. 8

Scott Boland (6; 1-48 & 6-7): An extraordinary Test debut for the 32-year-old Victorian, who was a shock call-up on his home ground and responded with a truly astonishing display. He picked up six wickets in four overs as England crumbled in spectacular style. 9

^{James Anderson bowled impeccably for England (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)}

ENGLAND

Haseeb Hameed (0 & 7): Two good balls accounted for Hameed, whose Test record is worsening with every innings. Clear technical issues have been laid bare which were always going to make this series especially challenging. 2

Zak Crawley (12 & 5): Brought in for Rory Burns but failed to improve on a calendar-year average below 12 - not that the circumstances made his life any easier. Fell in familiar fashion in both innings, albeit amid an epic opening salvo from Starc and Cummins on the second evening. 2

Dawid Malan (14 & 0): Edged behind to the final ball of the first session of the match, which set the tone for all that followed after he and Joe Root had steadied the ship on the opening morning. Unfortunate to be given out in the second innings. 3

Joe Root (50 & 28): Still without a Test hundred in Australia but it has not been for a lack of trying. He was the only England player to make fifty in the first innings but then edged Starc behind. Falls just short of Mohammad Yousuf's record for the most runs in a calendar year, but he could scarcely have done more. Still unconvincing as a captain, but you are only as good as your team. 6 

Ben Stokes (25 & 11; 1-47): Moved around the crease a lot as he looked to work himself into form but came into the series undercooked and is still pushing himself back to his best. Gave away his wicket in the first innings, but so much has been asked of him, given all he has gone through this year. 4

^{Joe Root top-scored in a dismal second innings (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)}

Jonny Bairstow (35 & 5): Fought hard on his return in the first innings, though was one of several experienced players to lose his wicket in unusual circumstances. The victim of a marginal lbw decision in the second innings. 4

Jos Buttler (3 & 5*): A staggering dismissal in the first innings went a long way to ending England's chances of setting any kind of competitive score. 2

Mark Wood (6 & 0; 2-71): Bowled far better than his figures suggested and with plenty of hostility, all of which made you wonder how he might have fared at Adelaide. A position or two too high at No.8. 6

Ollie Robinson (22 & 0; 2-64): Impressive for the most part but continues to struggle at the beginning of spells, offering up too many looseners. He briefly felt his hamstring on the second afternoon, and might benefit from sitting out at Sydney. 5

Jack Leach (13 & 0; 1-46): Bowled poorly to a poor plan when introduced against Harris and Head, though he looked far more comfortable against Green, the right-hander. 4

James Anderson (0* & 2; 4-33) A world-class individual performance from a 39-year-old seemingly getting better with age and improving his record abroad at the same time. 8

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

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