PERTH — The dust has settled on a brutal first Ashes Test at the WACA, a match that saw Australia seize a commanding 1-0 series lead with a comprehensive 267-run victory. While the hosts flexed their muscles on a pace-friendly wicket, England were left to lick their wounds and ponder a performance that veered from resilient to ragged. Chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt delivers his definitive player ratings from a one-sided affair in Perth.
England Player Ratings
Facing an Australian onslaught from the first session, England's squad showed flashes of fight but were ultimately outgunned in every department. The batting frailties that have plagued them overseas resurfaced, while the much-vaunted bowling attack lacked the consistent menace of their counterparts. The report card makes for grim reading.
Alastair Cook: 2/10
A nightmare return to the scene of his 2010/11 triumph. Cook looked a shadow of his former self, registering scores of 13 and 0. He was unnervingly tentative outside off-stump against the new ball, a vulnerability Mitchell Johnson exploited ruthlessly in both innings. The captain’s form is a major concern heading into Adelaide.
Jonathan Trott: 1/10
A harrowing match for the number three. Johnson’s short-pitched assault seemed to physically and mentally unravel Trott, who scored 10 and a second-innings duck. His dismissal in the second innings, fending a brutal bouncer to short leg, was the image of a batsman in profound distress. He simply had no answer.
Kevin Pietersen: 6/10
The one England batsman who looked capable of taking the fight to Australia. His first-innings 71 was a masterclass in counter-punching, full of trademark flair and audacity. However, his soft dismissal for 26 in the second innings, just as England needed a backbone, was a critical moment that halted any faint hopes of resistance.
Ian Bell: 4/10
A pair of stylish but ultimately insufficient starts. Bell looked in good touch for his 26 in the first innings before falling to Nathan Lyon, and his 34 in the second was ended by a good delivery from Ryan Harris. England needed their premier batsman of the last series to convert, and he failed to do so.
Joe Root: 3/10
A difficult game for the young Yorkshireman. Promoted to open, he was bounced out by Johnson for 3 in the first innings and looked uncomfortable throughout. A slightly more composed 18 in the second dig offered little solace. The experiment at the top of the order is under severe scrutiny already.
Matt Prior: 2/10
A shocker with the gloves and a failure with the bat. Prior’s messy wicketkeeping, including several dropped chances, cost England dearly. Scores of 17 and 8 did nothing to stabilise a floundering middle order. His confidence looks shot, a worrying sign for a player so pivotal to the team's balance.
Stuart Broad: 7/10
Easily England’s best bowler and, arguably, their player of the match. Broad bowled with heart, skill, and fire, taking 8 wickets in the match including a first-innings five-for. He also played a gutsy, if futile, 32 in the second innings. The one Englishman who could leave Perth with his head held high.
Graeme Swann: 3/10
Thoroughly outbowled by his opposite number, Nathan Lyon. Swann managed only two wickets in the match and was expensive, going at over four runs an over. The Australian batsmen played him with ease, nullifying England’s primary attacking threat in previous series. A poor performance from the senior spinner.
James Anderson: 4/10
Below his best on a pitch that should have suited him. Anderson lacked penetration with the new ball and was uncharacteristically wayward at times. While he picked up a few wickets, he never looked like running through the Australian lineup as he has done in the past. He needs to find his rhythm quickly.
Chris Tremlett: 3/10
Selected for his height and Perth pedigree, Tremlett delivered little of the feared bounce and pace. He looked sluggish and was comfortably dealt with by the Australian batsmen, taking only 1 wicket in each innings. His place for the second Test must be in serious doubt.
Australia Player Ratings
In stark contrast to their opponents, Australia were a unified and relentless force. Their game plan was executed to perfection, with every player contributing to a dominant team performance. The hosts have set a formidable benchmark.
Mitchell Johnson: 10/10
A truly phenomenal, match-winning performance. Johnson’s searing pace and unnerving bounce broke the back of England’s batting twice, yielding figures of 4/61 and 5/42. But his contribution wasn't just with the ball; his first-innings 39 was a brutal, momentum-shifting cameo. Man of the Match and then some.
Brad Haddin: 9/10
A monumental, series-defining innings. With Australia reeling at 132/5 on the first day, Haddin’s counter-attacking 94 dragged his team to a respectable total and completely shifted the momentum. His wicketkeeping was also sharp, taking seven catches in the match. An invaluable vice-captain’s knock.
David Warner: 8/10
The aggressor at the top of the order set the tone for Australia. His pugnacious 69 in the first innings put England on the back foot immediately, and his second-innings 42 helped extend the lead beyond reach. He was also electric in the field, embodying Australia’s aggressive intent.
Michael Clarke: 7/10
A captain’s performance. His first-innings 63 was a classy effort under pressure, and his aggressive, attacking field placements never allowed England’s batsmen a moment’s peace. He led from the front and his team followed with unwavering commitment.
Ryan Harris: 8/10
The metronome of the attack. While Johnson provided the fireworks, Harris provided the relentless, suffocating pressure. He consistently hit a testing line and length, chipping in with three vital wickets in the first innings and finishing the match by clean-bowling Jimmy Anderson.
Nathan Lyon: 7/10
Outperformed his celebrated rival, Graeme Swann, with a clever and controlled display. His dismissal of Cook in the first innings was crucial, and he provided Clarke with control whenever he was called upon. A quietly effective performance that underlined his importance to the team.
Steven Smith: 6/10
A mixed bag. A nervous start culminated in an ugly first-innings dismissal, but he showed great character to grind out a more composed 31 in the second innings, helping to build Australia’s insurmountable lead. His brilliant run-out of Jonathan Trott was also a key moment.
Shane Watson: 5/10
Frustration personified. Looked in sublime touch for his 32 in the first innings before throwing his wicket away with a loose drive. He bowled tidily without being a major threat. A player of his calibre will be disappointed he didn't capitalise on his starts.
Chris Rogers: 5/10
Did the hard work twice without going on to a big score. His 31 in the first innings helped steady the ship after an early wicket, and his 29 in the second was equally gritty. He will be disappointed not to have converted, but he provided a solid platform.
Conclusion: A Stark Divide
The ratings tell a clear story. Australia were a team of 8s, 9s, and one perfect 10, functioning as a cohesive and fearsome unit. England, by contrast, were a team of 3s and 4s, with only Stuart Broad emerging with real credit. The gulf in intensity, skill, and execution was cavernous.
As England captain Alastair Cook somberly admitted in the post-match press conference, "We were out-skilled in all three departments. We have to be honest, look ourselves in the mirror and work out how we can improve."
His Australian counterpart, Michael Clarke, was understandably buoyant but cautious, stating, "It’s one Test match. We’ll celebrate tonight, but we know how quickly things can change. This is just a start."
For England, the inquest begins now. The batting order looks fragile, the wicketkeeper is out of form, and the bowling attack was second best. The 1/10 rating for Jonathan Trott is symbolic of a team in a state of crisis. The road to redemption in Adelaide looks long and daunting.