Second Ashes Test - player ratings
These are my ratings for the 22 men who played in the second Ashes Test at Lord's, as England completed a rare win over Australia at the home of cricket.
ENGLAND
Andrew Strauss - 9
A wonderful set the tone beautifully, and it looked even better when Australia folded so rapidly on the second day. His captaincy is fast improving, though he perhaps let the game drift a little on the fourth afternoon with some defensive field placings.
Alastair Cook - 8
Scored quickly in both innings on a ground that has served him well in the past. Looking much better outside off-stump and dealt with the short stuff really well. It's the straight one that's the only problem.
Ravi Bopara - 4
Got a pretty good ball before he had really established himself in the first innings, but with little pressure on England - and frankly looked a little out of nick.
Kevin Pietersen - 6
There is no doubt that the various injections Pietersen has had to ease is affecting the way he moves at the crease. Still, scores of 32 and 44 meant this was no total disaster for KP.
Paul Collingwood - 6
Perhaps the most culpable batsman in the first innings, when he clearly gave his wicket away, he then helped step on the gas when England were stalling on Saturday. Remains a key figure this series.
Matt Prior - 8
Batted quite beautifully late on the third day, with consummate timing and placement. Had one of his best matches with the gloves and is beginning to justify the selectors' faith in his all-round ability.
Andrew Flintoff - 9
Produced some outstanding spells of uninhibited pace-bowling, despite being far from 100% fit. His , in which he took three wickets, will live long in the memory.
Stuart Broad - 7
Took the massive wicket of Ricky Ponting straight after lunch on day four and also struck twice in quick succession with the short ball in a fine spell on Friday.
Graeme Swann - 8
Came into the match under plenty of pressure, but silenced those doubts with four wickets in two very fine spells late in the match. His life was made easier by the discipline of the seamers.
James Anderson - 8
Memorably removed four of Australia's top six on Friday as he swung the ball both ways and created so many doubts. Unlucky not to pick up a wicket or two in the second innings.
Graham Onions - 7
Lightly bowled in the second innings, when he seemed to have an injury, he played his part earlier in the match - removing Simon Katich in Australia's first innings, and taking the last two wickets.
AUSTRALIA
Phillip Hughes - 4
The only Australian player with , Hughes is also their one batsman yet to make a score of any note. A bit unlucky in the first innings; looked out of his depth on Sunday.
Simon Katich - 6
Began to dig the Aussies out of a hole in the first innings before falling to a poorly judged pull, and could have probably left the one he nicked to gully early doors on Sunday.
Ricky Ponting - 4
From the moment he was controversially given out cheaply on the second day, Ponting's self-control disintegrated. , dropped an easy catch and batted too freely on day four.
Michael Hussey - 6
Batted well on Friday before falling to a brilliant delivery from Flintoff, but looked badly out of nick in the second innings - even though it was a bad decision that ended his involvement.
Michael Clarke - 9
A tremendous century on Sunday gave thousands of English cricket fans a sleepless night and he batted on for another hour on the last day before falling to Swann as he tried to step on the gas.
Marcus North - 3
Played a dangerous shot born of desperation attempting to get off the mark in his first innings - and paid the price - and was an easy victim for Graeme Swann second time around. Poor show.
Brad Haddin - 8
Tremendous innings when all before him bar Clarke had crumbled on Sunday, and also batted better than most on Australia's freaky Friday. A shame about the 31 byes he conceded.
Mitchell Johnson - 5
Hit for 200 runs, Johnson's radar was wonky. Somwhere along the line he took three wickets but that's not what people will remember from this display. Nice knock in a losing cause on day five.
Nathan Hauritz - 7
A dislocated finger curtailed his bowling in England's first innings, but he bowled brilliantly after lunch on day three to remove Cook and Strauss. Produced a brave innings on Saturday morning.
Peter Siddle - 7
Has adopted the mantle as Australia's enforcer, but is yet to pick up a significant haul of wickets. Batted really well at number 10 on the third morning, but could yet find himself dropped.
Ben Hilfenhaus - 7
Easily Australia's best bowler at the moment, and was rewarded with four wickets in the first innings. Signs, however, that he lost just a little enthusiasm and direction late on the third day.
This is an archive post from the old TMS blog. To avoid duplicate debates, please visit the TMS Blog version to comment.
After the solemn realisation at the age of 12 that I might not be good enough to play cricket for England I decided that the next best thing, writing about cricket, would have to suffice as a career. That's what I've been doing for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport website since 2001, in which time the sport has changed immensely. You can also follow me on .
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