Once again, the World champions Australia showcased their unrivalled worth and dominance on the field, triumphing over their neighbours, New Zealand, in a compelling two-match Test series. Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, Australia whitewashed the Blackcaps for the fourth consecutive time in the Test series.
The inaugural Test of the Trans-Tasman series unfolded in Wellington, witnessing Australia’s commanding performance that led to a decisive 172-run victory. The second match, held in Christchurch, unfolded as a nail-biting contest where Australia, in a dramatic turn of events, clinched a 3-wicket victory from the brink of defeat.
Now that the visitors have concluded their successful red ball tour of New Zealand, it’s time to delve deeper into the player ratings of the triumphant Australian team.
Batters
Steven Smith (1.5/10): Despite being considered one of the best Test batsmen in the current generation, Steven Smith fell short of expectations during the two-match series.
Opening for Australia, his performance was lacklustre, starting with a promising 31 runs in the first innings of the first Test but failing to sustain the momentum. In the second innings, Smith faced disappointment with a duck to his name. The second Test saw him accumulating a mere 20 runs across both innings, concluding the series with an overall tally of 51 runs and an average of 12.75.
Usman Khawaja (2.5/10): Usman Khawaja, known for his ability to anchor innings, faced similar challenges, tallying only 88 runs from 256 deliveries throughout the series, averaging a modest 22.
Khawaja displayed promise in the opening innings of the Wellington Test, but his innings was cut short by Kiwi pacer Matt Henry when he was on 33. Subsequent innings saw Khawaja reaching double figures but failing to convert them into substantial scores.
Marnus Labuschagne (4.5/10): Marnus Labuschagne’s performance in the first Test left much to be desired, as he could only muster 3 runs. However, he swiftly regained his form in the second Test, coinciding with his 50th Test match, demonstrating his skill with a vital 90-run innings that rescued Australia from a precarious situation.
However, his contributions dwindled in the final innings of the series, managing only 6 runs. Labuschagne concluded the series with a total of 99 runs from 4 innings, averaging 24.75.
Travis Head (3/10): Travis Head faced disappointment with his batting performances in the series, mustering a high score of 29 across 4 innings. His contributions of 30 runs in the first Test and 39 runs in the last Test culminated in a total of 69 runs at an average of 17.25.
Alex Carey (6.5/10): Alex Carey reserved his best for the second innings of the second Test, playing a gold-standard innings that contributed significantly to Australia’s whitewashing of the Blackcaps.
Although Carey’s contributions in the initial match fell short, his innings of 98 not out in the second Test earned him the Player of the Match Trophy. With an average of 41.67, Carey accumulated 125 runs in 4 innings. Behind the stumps, Carey’s impeccable glove work shone through as he claimed 14 catches throughout the series.
All-rounders
Green now has two Test centuries to his name, both achieved outside of Australia
Cameron Green (7.5/10): The young Australian power hitter, Cameron Green, has significantly elevated his red ball game over the past year, evident in his emergence as the highest run-scorer of the series. Accumulating an impressive 238 runs across 4 innings, Green boasted an average of 79.33.
His series began with a bang, single-handedly putting Australia in the driver’s seat in the first Test with an unbeaten 174 off 275 balls, inclusive of 23 fours and 5 maximums. Adding to his stellar performance, Green contributed another 34 runs in the second innings of the same Test. Despite a slight dip in the second match, where he managed 30 runs across both innings, Green also showcased his bowling ability by claiming 3 wickets in the series.
Mitchell Marsh (5.5/10): Mitchell Marsh‘s series performance presented a mix of commendable and criticizable moments, marked by two ducks but highlighted by a crucial 40-run innings in the first innings of the first Test, significantly contributing to Australia’s success.
Marsh’s standout performance occurred under pressure in the second Test’s second innings, where his 80-run knock played a pivotal role in securing a win for Australia when chasing a challenging target of 279 runs, especially at 34-4. Marsh concluded the series with 120 runs at an average of 30.
Bowlers
Mitchell Starc (4.5/10): Mitchell Starc struggled to make an impact in the first Test, securing only a single wicket. However, his 3-wicket haul in the first innings of the last Test played a crucial role in restricting the Blackcaps to a mere 162 runs. Starc finished the series with 5 wickets at an average of 43.20.
Pat Cummins (6.5/10): Pat Cummins initially had a modest performance in the first Test, securing only 1 wicket in 22 overs and contributing 24 runs with the bat.
However, he bounced back in the second Test, grabbing 1 wicket and scoring 23 in the first innings, and impressively taking 4 wickets while playing a crucial knock of 32 runs in the second innings. Cummins concluded the series with a total of 6 wickets and 79 runs.
Lyon achieved his first five-wicket haul on New Zealand soil
Nathan Lyon (8/10): Spinner Nathan Lyon had an exceptional outing with the ball throughout the series. He showcased his strength by claiming 4 wickets in the first innings of the first Test and securing a six-wicket haul in the second innings.
In the second Test, Lyon continued his fine form by taking 3 wickets in the second innings. Additionally, he demonstrated his batting skills by scoring 41 runs as a nightwatchman in the second innings of the first Test, ending the series with a total of 66 runs at an average of 22.
Josh Hazelwood (7.5/10): Josh Hazelwood was the only Australian bowler to secure at least one wicket in all four innings of the series. His mastery of line and length was evident throughout, with a notable performance in Wellington where he clinched two wickets in each innings.
In the second match, Hazelwood delivered a mesmerising spell, capturing a total of 6 wickets, including a memorable five-wicket haul in the first innings alone. Finishing the series with 10 wickets to his credit, he maintained an impressive average of 17.60 and an economy rate of 2.89.