The Cricketer runs the rule over the individual performances of both sets of players after the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston
Rory Burns (133 & 11): Though some chose to pick out the 30-plus edges in his long, long first-innings knock as a reason to do it down, Burns showed tremendous mental fortitude to knuckle down and become just the third Englishman since the 2015 Ashes to bat out 300-plus deliveries. Done a kipper by a brute of a rising ball by Cummins second innings. 8
Jason Roy (10 & 29): His second-innings dismissal, dancing down the pitch, flailing at the ball and seeing it crash into middle stump, will be replayed on gaffe reels for a long time. And it won’t have done the opener any favours in winning over those who question his place at the top of the Test order. 3.5
Joe Root (57 & 28; DNB & 0-50): A ground-out first-innings 50 helped England into a useful position but he could not hang around in the second and was furious with himself after inside-edging to short leg. Some captaincy quirks - including not using Woakes on the fourth morning, and seemingly running out of ideas to Smith (though most skippers would have been in a similar position). 5
Joe Denly (18 & 11; 0-7 & 0-72): The experiment does not seem to be working. Two failures at Edgbaston after two failures against Ireland at Lord’s, and there must surely now be pressure on Denly’s place. Did at times look dangerous with the ball. 3
Jos Buttler (5 & 1): Has rarely looked less comfortable at the wicket than during his 25-ball single in the second innings. 2
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Ben Stokes (50 & 6; 1-77 & 3-85): Confident and in control with bat in hand as England took the lead, always capable of making a decisive blow with the ball. 7
Jonny Bairstow (8 & 6): Another unhappy Test for England’s wicketkeeper, whose place is going to surely come up for debate in the coming days. 2
Moeen Ali (0 & 4; 1-42 & 2-130): Will find calls for him to be replaced becoming louder and louder over the next few days. Bowling lacked conviction, possibly because of a lack of confidence. 2
Chris Woakes (37* & 31; 3-58 & 1-36): Strangely under-used with the ball in the second innings, having played such a prominent role in dismantling Australia in the first. Batted serenely with Broad to give England a lead which they subsequently squandered. 8
Stuart Broad (29 & ; 5-86 & 1-91): Excellent with the ball in the first innings, when he had Australia’s top order in all sorts of bother, and looked reborn as a batsman. 7.5
Jimmy Anderson (3 & 4*; 0-1 & DNB): Four overs on the first morning before breaking down. 5
Chris Woakes showed application with bat and ball
David Warner (2 & 8): A crazy 14-ball knock in the first innings preceded another failure in the second. Not the kind of return Warner would have been hoping for. Dealt well with a boundary barracking from the England fans. 2
Cameron Bancroft (8 & 7): Seemed to be stepping way to far over to off stump, exposing leg and looking like a candidate to be bowled around his legs. Will need a return at Lord’s to stop Marcus Harris demanding selection. 2
Usman Khawaja (13 & 40): Uncomfortable in the first innings but took the aggressive approach in the second, and helped Steve Smith in pulling Australia out of an early hole. 5
Steve Smith (144 & 142; 0-9 & 0-0): Genius. England tried absolutely everything to get him out and largely failed. His first twin centuries in any level of cricket, both chanceless. Wonderful player, despite the empty boos. Dropped a catch, so loses 0.1 of a point. 9.9
Travis Head (35 & 62; 0-7 & DNB): No one except Kane Williamson has scored more Test runs than Head since his debut 10 months ago. Here he was consistently secure in both innings, providing a very useful foil for Smith. 7.5
Matthew Wade (1 & 110; 0-7 & DNB): Meek dismissal in the first innings, sublime in the second. Wade showed that once you get in on this Edgbaston pitch it is possibly to do more than survive. His compact century was well paced, well executed and well appreciated by the Aussie contingent in the stands. 8
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Tim Paine (5 & 34): Glovework wasn’t at the high standard we have come to expect from Paine, and his first-innings suck-out - caught in the deep to a Broad short ball - was tame. Still, he’s captained an Australian side to a dominant display at a tough venue. 4
James Pattinson (0 & 47*; 2-82 & 0-29): Bowled at speed, and at times very dangerously, and added a brutal second-innings cameo with the bat. May not make the Aussie team for Lord’s, with his body and the atmospherics in mind, but will come roaring back later in the series if not. 6.5
Pat Cummins (5 & 26*; 3-84 & 4-32): Did not look overly comfortable as an opening bowler in the first innings, as he filled in in the absence of Starc and Hazelwood. Still, took regular wickets and clocked 90mph-plus speeds. 8
Peter Siddle (44 & DNB, 2-52 & 0-28): Most important with the bat here. Had he not stayed with Smith as long as he did, Australia would have been cooked on day one. With the ball he plugged away manfully. 7.5
Nathan Lyon (12* & DNB; 3-112 & 6-49): Went long periods of the first innings without a wicket, on a helpful pitch, but came back with a roaring second-innings performance, making the most of the rough areas in the bowlers’ footmarks. Reached 350 Test wickets. 8
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