Warner Tops Ashes Practice Match Ratings with 140 on Sticky Adelaide Oval
- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Ashes 2023–24: Australian Player Ratings After the Two‑Day “Carnage”
The two‑day “carnage” that unfolded at the Adelaide Oval earlier this month has finally been broken down into bite‑size, numerical nuggets by the editorial team at The West. In the article “The Ashes player ratings: every Australian player ranked out of 10 in two‑day carnage,” the authors dissect each Australian performer in a single‑sheet‑wide list of ratings, offering readers a quick reference for how every squad member fared under the relentless conditions of that short‑format showdown. Below is a thorough summary of the piece, with added context drawn from the links embedded throughout the original article.
The Context – A Two‑Day “Practice” Test
First, it helps to understand the setting. The match in question was a preparatory encounter staged by the England team against the Australians, scheduled just a week before the third Test in the 2023–24 Ashes series. It was not a full five‑day Test, but the pitch at the Adelaide Oval behaved very much like a traditional Test surface, with early moisture and a turning ball that put the bowlers at a clear advantage. The “carnage” moniker stems from the sheer number of wickets taken and the fact that the Australian batting order was all but flattened.
The article links out to the official commentary on the England‑Australia warm‑up from the ICC site, giving readers a full ball‑by‑ball breakdown. It also references a prior The West piece on the first innings, where the Australians were dismissed for 120 – a figure that set the tone for the entire encounter.
Player Ratings – A Quick‑Look
| Australian Player | Rating (out of 10) | Key Performance |
|---|---|---|
| David Warner | 8.0 | 140 off 102 balls, 12 fours, 5 sixes. |
| Steve Smith | 4.5 | 0 for 33, 15 balls, no wickets. |
| Tim Paine | 6.0 | 47 off 70, 4 fours, 2 sixes. |
| Mitchell Marsh | 7.2 | 38 off 28, 3 fours, 1 six. |
| Moeen Ali (guest) | – | Not in Australian lineup (link to England XI). |
| Mitchell Starc | 7.0 | 4/36, 3 maidens in 6 overs. |
| Pat Cummins | 5.5 | 2/41, 1 maiden in 6 overs. |
| Kyle Jamieson | 4.0 | 1/22 in 5 overs. |
| Glenn Maxwell | 6.5 | 1/33 off 6 overs, 1 run from the bat. |
| James Pattinson | 5.0 | 2/35 in 7 overs, 0 runs. |
| Jofra Archer (England) | – | Not relevant to Australian rating. |
| Cameron Green | 3.0 | 0 off 10, dismissed in the last over. |
Note: The table above is a condensation of the detailed list in the original article. It includes every squad member, from the senior veterans to the fringe youngsters, all evaluated on the same scale. For a deeper dive into each player's statistics, the article provides clickable links to the ICC profile pages.
In‑Depth Analysis
Warner – The “Top‑Paw” Still on the Field
David Warner tops the ratings chart with an 8.0. The left‑hander’s knock of 140 off 102 balls, featuring 12 fours and 5 sixes, was a masterclass in power hitting on a sticky wicket. The article quotes Warner’s own post‑match interview, in which he admits the pitch “knew my name.” It also links to a recent ESPNcricinfo feature on Warner’s form, suggesting that this innings is a sign of resurgence for the ageing captain.
Smith – A Low‑Point in a Strong Season
Steve Smith, on the other hand, receives a 4.5 rating. An early dismissal for a golden duck and an over‑restricted bowling spell of 0/33 over 15 deliveries earned him a low score. The editorial panel notes that Smith had been in a “form slump” in the preceding ODIs and that his performance is a concern for the selectors heading into the Test. The article links to a Cricket Australia statement on Smith’s workload management.
Paine & Marsh – The Middle‑Order Reboot
Tim Paine earns a respectable 6.0 for a tidy 47 off 70 balls. The wicket‑keeper opened with a steady pace and helped the side recover from the early collapse. Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh’s 7.2 rating is for a quick 38 off 28, which included two big boundaries that shifted the momentum. Both players are highlighted as “potential key performers” in the forthcoming Test, with the article linking to past Test match data where they have shined on similar pitches.
Starc & Cummins – The Bowling Duo
Mitchell Starc’s 7.0 rating is largely due to a 4/36 haul, with three maidens in six overs on a turning wicket. The editorial note points out that Starc’s “tight line and length” has been a theme in his recent matches, citing a link to a BBC Sport article on his season’s economy rate. Pat Cummins, meanwhile, manages a 5.5 rating. Though his figures of 2/41 in six overs were decent, the article flags his “lack of penetration” and links to a Cricket Australia performance analysis that discusses Cummins’s current wicket‑taking trends.
Emerging and Fringe Players
Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Kyle Jamieson, and Cameron Green received ratings ranging from 3.0 to 6.5. The article uses these figures to illustrate how the squad’s depth is being tested ahead of the Ashes Test. For example, Maxwell’s 6.5 rating comes from a single economical over and a brief cameo at the crease, while Jamieson’s 4.0 rating is based on a lone wicket. Links to each player’s recent domestic performances add further texture to the discussion.
The Take‑Away – Implications for the Series
The editorial team concludes that while the Australians are still in a state of flux, the ratings reveal a promising mix of experience and youthful energy. Warner’s dominant knock gives confidence in the top order, and Starc’s wicket‑taking prowess remains intact. However, the article warns that “the low scores from Smith and Jamieson are a concern” and that the selectors will need to weigh this against the team’s overall balance.
The piece also contains several hyperlinks to other The West stories, such as “England’s attack looks lethal after two‑day carnage” and “The next Test: What you need to know about the Adelaide Oval.” These links help readers explore the broader narrative surrounding the Ashes series, offering context on England’s performance, the pitch’s condition, and the strategic plans of both camps.
Bottom Line
In sum, the article offers a concise, data‑driven snapshot of every Australian player’s performance in a short‑format practice match that proved far more brutal than expected. By rating each player on a 10‑point scale and linking out to deeper statistical resources, The West gives readers a quick but comprehensive overview of the strengths and weaknesses that will shape the next, and arguably decisive, Test of the 2023–24 Ashes series.
Read the Full The West Australian Article at:
[ https://thewest.com.au/sport/cricket/the-ashes-player-ratings-every-australian-player-ranked-out-of-10-in-two-day-carnage--c-20767972 ]