No Harris, no problem for Australia attack
With no weak links in the four-man bowling unit that took on the West Indies, the availability of Ryan Harris for the Ashes will give the Australian selectors much to ponder
Daniel Brettig
15-Jun-2015
9
Josh Hazlewood
If Hazlewood and his mentor Craig McDermott tend to shy away from Glenn McGrath comparisons, by the end of the series they were in the minority. The coach Darren Lehmann and the selector on duty Mark Waugh were both happy to place the two New South Welshmen in the same sentence, and a series of displays as miserly as they were incisive boded exceptionally well for Hazlewood's future. Other members of the Australia attack may be quicker or swing the ball further, but Hazlewood has a combination of height, bounce, accuracy and deviation that will make him fiendishly hard to face in England.
If Hazlewood and his mentor Craig McDermott tend to shy away from Glenn McGrath comparisons, by the end of the series they were in the minority. The coach Darren Lehmann and the selector on duty Mark Waugh were both happy to place the two New South Welshmen in the same sentence, and a series of displays as miserly as they were incisive boded exceptionally well for Hazlewood's future. Other members of the Australia attack may be quicker or swing the ball further, but Hazlewood has a combination of height, bounce, accuracy and deviation that will make him fiendishly hard to face in England.
Adam Voges
A decade in the making, Voges' debut was the stuff of dreams, but more importantly it showcased a brand of sensible, mature batting that will be a source of great reassurance to others in the top six. Before this series, Voges would have been happy just to play one Test here or in England. Now he is a nailed on starter for Cardiff, and for who knows how long beyond?
A decade in the making, Voges' debut was the stuff of dreams, but more importantly it showcased a brand of sensible, mature batting that will be a source of great reassurance to others in the top six. Before this series, Voges would have been happy just to play one Test here or in England. Now he is a nailed on starter for Cardiff, and for who knows how long beyond?
8
Steven Smith
Now ranked the world's No. 1 Test batsman, Smith atoned for a rare stumping in Dominica with an innings of consummate composure and game awareness at Sabina Park. He dropped into the No. 3 position like a coin into a slot, and it was evidence that his success had caused some other members of the team to re-evaluate their own approaches in search of more consistent runs. As for his discomfort in the nervous 190s, it's a problem we'd all like to have.
Now ranked the world's No. 1 Test batsman, Smith atoned for a rare stumping in Dominica with an innings of consummate composure and game awareness at Sabina Park. He dropped into the No. 3 position like a coin into a slot, and it was evidence that his success had caused some other members of the team to re-evaluate their own approaches in search of more consistent runs. As for his discomfort in the nervous 190s, it's a problem we'd all like to have.
Mitchell Starc
Coming out of the IPL and no red-ball cricket since the Sydney Test in early January, Starc was perhaps understandably rusty in his first spell or two. But after that he found a confident groove and swinging rhythm that made him far too good for any West Indies batsman, and now more or less assured of taking the first over of the innings. The availability of Ryan Harris for England leaves the selectors with much to ponder, for right now there isn't a batsman in world cricket who would fancy Starc with a new ball.
Coming out of the IPL and no red-ball cricket since the Sydney Test in early January, Starc was perhaps understandably rusty in his first spell or two. But after that he found a confident groove and swinging rhythm that made him far too good for any West Indies batsman, and now more or less assured of taking the first over of the innings. The availability of Ryan Harris for England leaves the selectors with much to ponder, for right now there isn't a batsman in world cricket who would fancy Starc with a new ball.
7
Nathan Lyon
The Australians chanted "GOAT, GOAT, GOAT" in tribute to Lyon's standing as the most successful offspinner in the history of Test cricket down under, and his was a largely undaunted display. Some minor issues finding the right pace for the pitch in Dominica were erased in Jamaica, and an England team stocked heavily with left-handers has already got Lyon looking confidently towards the Ashes.
The Australians chanted "GOAT, GOAT, GOAT" in tribute to Lyon's standing as the most successful offspinner in the history of Test cricket down under, and his was a largely undaunted display. Some minor issues finding the right pace for the pitch in Dominica were erased in Jamaica, and an England team stocked heavily with left-handers has already got Lyon looking confidently towards the Ashes.
6
Mitchell Johnson
While not the terrorising force of 2014, Johnson still had a more than useful series, bowling spells of several varieties and chipping in for key wickets like that of Marlon Samuels in the second innings in Dominica. He also contributed vital runs in the first Test, and carried himself with the sort of assured air he will hope to retain in England. The memories of 2009 will likely motivate him to get things right for this Ashes series.
While not the terrorising force of 2014, Johnson still had a more than useful series, bowling spells of several varieties and chipping in for key wickets like that of Marlon Samuels in the second innings in Dominica. He also contributed vital runs in the first Test, and carried himself with the sort of assured air he will hope to retain in England. The memories of 2009 will likely motivate him to get things right for this Ashes series.
Michael Clarke
Started the series short of batting rhythm, and by the end he had gone some way towards finding it. Was annoyed to be out swishing at a wide one in Jamaica after being earlier reprieved by a Kemar Roach no-ball, but his stand with Smith had at least guided Australia out of trouble. Led the team with typical verve on the field, and his catching was a delight. Hamstring surgery has clearly agreed with his body, and he looks more than capable of withstanding the physical demands of England.
Started the series short of batting rhythm, and by the end he had gone some way towards finding it. Was annoyed to be out swishing at a wide one in Jamaica after being earlier reprieved by a Kemar Roach no-ball, but his stand with Smith had at least guided Australia out of trouble. Led the team with typical verve on the field, and his catching was a delight. Hamstring surgery has clearly agreed with his body, and he looks more than capable of withstanding the physical demands of England.
Shaun Marsh
A middling series from Marsh, albeit in the unfamiliar post of opening batsman. Would have wanted to go on to a bigger score, and showed enough frailty against the new ball to suggest that Chris Rogers should be back at the top in England. Should Marsh find his way out of the team during the Ashes, it will be less because he has fallen short, and more because his state captain Voges has been so outstanding in recent times.
A middling series from Marsh, albeit in the unfamiliar post of opening batsman. Would have wanted to go on to a bigger score, and showed enough frailty against the new ball to suggest that Chris Rogers should be back at the top in England. Should Marsh find his way out of the team during the Ashes, it will be less because he has fallen short, and more because his state captain Voges has been so outstanding in recent times.
5
Brad Haddin
Kept well in challenging conditions, particularly to Lyon, and continued to operate as an influential senior pro in the team. However Haddin's batting has fallen away since his heroics against England, as he maintains a most ambitious approach without his former luck. There will be times during the Ashes when he will be needed to stand up as a batsman, and he will require every bit of his resolve to win the urn in England to do so.
Kept well in challenging conditions, particularly to Lyon, and continued to operate as an influential senior pro in the team. However Haddin's batting has fallen away since his heroics against England, as he maintains a most ambitious approach without his former luck. There will be times during the Ashes when he will be needed to stand up as a batsman, and he will require every bit of his resolve to win the urn in England to do so.
David Warner
Self-consciously altering his approach both around the team and on the field of play, Warner was twice dismissed cheaply by sharply lifting deliveries and then struggling for fluency in his only substantial innings. Given a terse assessment by the coach Darren Lehmann, Warner will want runs in England, a place where he has much unfinished business after the travails of 2013.
Self-consciously altering his approach both around the team and on the field of play, Warner was twice dismissed cheaply by sharply lifting deliveries and then struggling for fluency in his only substantial innings. Given a terse assessment by the coach Darren Lehmann, Warner will want runs in England, a place where he has much unfinished business after the travails of 2013.
Shane Watson
A decent bowling spell on the final day of the series was Watson's most effective contribution of the series, and he was as disappointed as anyone about failing to go on from a pair of starts. He batted in a fury in Dominica but was more circumspect in Jamaica, neither approach reaping a significant score. Mitchell Marsh is ready and waiting should Watson slip up further in England.
A decent bowling spell on the final day of the series was Watson's most effective contribution of the series, and he was as disappointed as anyone about failing to go on from a pair of starts. He batted in a fury in Dominica but was more circumspect in Jamaica, neither approach reaping a significant score. Mitchell Marsh is ready and waiting should Watson slip up further in England.
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig