AUSTRALIA ASHES REPORT CARD: Steve Smith and Pat Cummins dominate as David Warner has forgettable summer

NICK HOWSON: A rested Josh Hazlewood excites, Matthew Wade delivers but questions remain over Tim Paine's role as captain.

Tim Paine

(5 Tests, 180 runs, ave 20, 22 catches)

It remains to be seen whether keeping hold of the urn will be enough to extend his spell as Test captain. Without Steve Smith and Pat Cummins you wonder whether Paine's leadership alone would have been enough to see Australia through. Showed woeful judgement with DRS and lost control at times, particularly in the dying embers at Headingley. With Smith's leadership ban ending next March, the selectors have a decision to make.

Grade: C-

Cameron Bancroft

(2 Tests, 44 runs, ave 11, 6 catches)

The often-overlooked third member of the sandpaper-gate scandal only survived the first two Tests before he was removed altogether. Some patchy form at Durham ended up not being sufficient preparation for the intensity of an Ashes series and though he is a real asset in the field that won't be enough for a return to the Test team.

Grade: E

Pat Cummins

(5 Tests, 10.14 runs, ave 71, 29 wickets, 19.62, 2 catches)

It was a remarkable series for the 26-year-old after having been unchanged during the World Cup. He proved why he is the No.1 bowler in the ICC Test rankings with a hat-full of wickets including a contender for ball of the summer to dismiss Joe Root at Old Trafford. If he can stay injury free he could continue to be the scourge of England for years to come.

Grade: A

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Travis Head

(4 Tests, 191 runs, ave 27.28, 3 catches)

Extremely fortunate to play as many as four Tests before eventually being dropped for The Oval. Only made one score of note and ended up averaging less than Peter Siddle in amongst a brittle Australia middle-order. Not a great summer.

Grade: D

Marcus Harris

(3 Tests, 58 runs, ave 9.66)

Registered fewer runs than Stuart Broad across the series at the top of the Australia order. Simply woeful as the tourists constantly struggled to get off to a solid start. Leaves the team struggling to find an opener for the upcoming summer.

Grade: E-

Josh Hazlewood

(4 Tests, 9 runs, ave 9, 20 wickets, ave 21.85, 2 catches)

Had the World Cup off to fully recover from a back injury, and it showed, with some frightening spells with the ball. Lost the plot a little at Headingley but otherwise was imperious across his four Test outings, taking the wicket which secured the urn in Manchester.

Grade: B+

Usman Khawaja

(3 Tests, 122 runs, ave 20.33)

A square peg in a round hole in the Australia batting line-up. Really suited to No.4 but was forced to go in ahead of Steve Smith, and looked very uncomfortable - much like he had in the World Cup. Made starts in each of his three outings before getting out when looking comfortable. Returned to form as captain in the four matches at Derby but was curiously withdrawn for the remainder of the series.

Grade: D+

^{Steve Smith proved himself as the best batsman in the with centuries and one double hundred}

Marnus Labuschagne

(4 Tests, 353 runs, ave 50.42, 1 wicket, ave 56, 3 catches)

Having spent the summer preparing with Glamorgan in the Championship, it is somewhat baffling that it took Smith's injury for Labuschagne to get his chance. And he took it with both hands, with half-centuries in his first four Ashes innings. The manner in which he clearly tried to mimic Smith's technique was endearing and there was no more dependable batting partnership in the series.

Grade: A-

Nathan Lyon

(5 Tests, 80 runs, ave 50.70, 20 wickets, ave 33.40, 2 catches)

Was rather subdued after taking nine wickets in the first Test at Edgbaston, failing to offer control or notable scalps on a regular basis on pitches which while dry did not spin with much vigour. Failure to run-out Leach at Headingley led to him becoming a target of the crowd at Old Trafford, a position he did not enjoy and clearly affected his form.

Grade: B-

Mitchell Marsh

(1 Test, 41 runs, ave 20.50, 7 wickets, 12.28, 1 catch)

Might not be the darling of Australian cricket but he proved effective on his only outing of the series, taking a five-for which even Pat Cummins cannot boast. With no genuine allrounder in this Australia team there is certainly a berth for him but he must first convince the selectors of his fitness.

Grade: C+

^{David Warner endured a torrid series}

James Pattinson

(2 Tests, 69 runs, ave 23, 5 wickets, ave 33.40, 1 catch)

Success back at Nottinghamshire had raised hopes he could run through England, but in the end he was unable to replicate his Championship form. Unleashed at Edgbaston but bar some quick spells didn't get the results. Returned in Leeds but was one of the victims of the frantic finish.

Grade: D

Peter Siddle

(3 Tests, 84 runs, ave 28, 7 wickets, ave 42.14, 2 catches)

A surprise selection for the first two Tests but bowled at the kind of nagging length which England's batsman couldn't resist but go after. Important contribution of 44 with the bat made a big difference to the outcome at Birmingham. Came back at The Oval but had little impact.

Grade: C-

Steve Smith

(4 Tests, 774 runs, ave 110.57, 12 catches)

Returned from over a year away from Test cricket and looked like he had never been away. That Donald Bradman's all-time record for runs in a series was even talked about said plenty about Smith's efforts. Centuries in both innings at Edgbaston followed a double at Old Trafford which all-but secured the game. England's plans to him were among the most talked-about topics during the series, but few answers were found.

Grade: A+

^{Pat Cummins emerged from the series as the leading wicket-taker}

Mitchell Starc

(1 Test, 57 runs, 4 wickets, ave 31.50)

Many will have been surprised that it took until the penultimate Test for Starc to be unleashed in the Ashes. Naturally, he looked particularly rusty and though he took four wickets he was unable to blow England away in the manner which was anticipated. Quite an asset to have in the locker ahead of the Australian summer.

Grade: C-

Matthew Wade

(5 Tests, 337 runs, ave 33.70, 3 catches)

Two centuries from Wade bookended the series, albeit under little pressure, though only Smith and Ben Stokes reached double figures for three-figure scores. Either side of those efforts he struggled for form. Could yet reclaim the gloves if Paine is dispensed with in the near future but regardless has done enough to keep his place if nothing else because of his adeptness in the field.

Grade: C

David Warner

(5 Tests, 95 runs, ave 9.50, 8 catches)

Following an encouraging World Cup, Warner was expected to carry that though to the Test arena. But amid a chorus of boos on his arrival and exit from the crease, he was a mere walking wicket during the series. Stuart Broad got him seven times in all as he struggled with the ball darting in from over the wicket. Will probably be retained for the summer but a place down the order could be in the offing.

Grade: E-