It is probably not jumping the gun to suggest that the period of Australian cricket supremacy has come to an end. At times it seemed that the era would last as long as the Roman Empire itself, and continuing on that theme the fall of the Green and Gold's could be just as dramatic if the brief tour of England is anything to go by.
For the first time since 1977, an Australian touring side leaves English shores empty handed having lost the Nat West Series to England 3-2, been beaten 2-0 in the Twenty 20 series against Pakistan, and now with defeat at Headingley, only drawn the test series, also with Pakistan, 1-1.
As we outlined last week, the problems facing the declining Australians are stark with only a short two test series in India to go before the first Ashes test in Brisbane at the end of November. Groundhog day batting collapses, impotent new ball bowlers and question marks over a number of players due to injury and form are just some of the problems facing Ricky Ponting and Tim Neilsen.
So, how did the players who faced Pakistan rate on the Reverse Sweep marks out of ten scale? And what are their chances of retaining their place for the Ashes?
Shane Watson - 7 (64 runs, Average 16.00, HS 31. 11 Wickets, Average 10.63, B/B 6/33): Just as Twatto's beginners luck as a test opener seemed to desert him, the Pakistani batsman contrived to hand him two successive five fors. The honours boards at Lord's and Headingley will be hanging their heads in shame. Ashes selection rating - A certainty
Simon Katich - 7 (187 runs, Average 46.75, HS 83): Is there a worse batsman to watch in test cricket today? Probably not, but what Katich's batting lacks in style he certainly makes up for in effectiveness. England will hope his two failures at Headingley are the start of a trend. Ashes selection rating: A certainty
Ricky Ponting - 5 (98 runs, Average 24.50, HS 61): It is sad to see one of the all-time greats struggling so badly; unless you are an England fan that is. For a time, it looked like Ponting was going to resurrect Australia in the second innings at Headingley with his ultra-competitiveness and typical battling nature. But then he got out to a horrendous shot on the third morning. Could we be nearing the end of Ponting's wonderful test career? Ashes selection rating: A certainty, but should he drop down the order?
Michael Clarke - 6 (139 runs, Average 34.75, HS 77): Like the rest of his colleagues, he looked like a beginner in the first innings at Headingley. But in the rest of the series, Clarke looked what he now is - Australia's premier batsman. May end up as captain of his country within a year unless Australia cure their current malaise. Ashes selection rating: A certainty, but should be move up to three?
Michael Hussey - 5 (69 runs, Average 23.00, HS 56*): In the first innings at Lord's it looked like Mr Cricket was going to continue to be the scourge of Pakistan. But 13 runs in three innings after suggests that Hussey has several chinks in his armour that England should be able to exploit over the winter. Ashes selection rating: Probably safe, but given his age for how long?
Marcus North - 4 (36 runs, Average 9.00, HS 20. BB 6/55): His surprising haul of six for 55 at Lord's should not detract from the fact that North's days as a test cricketer must surely be numbered. There are a number of options the Australian selectors could pursue, but none of them should include North in their Ashes XI. Ashes selection rating: Surely, North is a goner?
Tim Paine - 7 (104 runs, Average 26.00, HS 47): Looked very impressive (and far more assured than Brad Haddin) behind the stumps and looked pretty handy with the bat as well. Amidst the carnage of the first innings at Headingley, Paine stood out like a beacon from the rest, and in the second innings he was doing wonderfully well before being suckered by Kaneira into chasing a wide one. A promising start to his test career. Ashes selection rating: Will only play if Haddin's broken body doesn't mend
Steve Smith - 7 (3 wickets, Average 27.33, BB 3/51. 100 runs, Average 25.00, HS 77): Is clearly not the new Shane Warne despite the hyperbole, but considering his age looks a very promising leg-spinner/batsman. His 77 in the second innings at Headingley was quite brilliant - even more so given it was only Smith's second test - and nearly took Australia to the promised land. Ashes selection rating: May well play, either instead of Hauritz or even as a second spin option/number six in place of North
Mitchell Johnson - 2 (3 wickets, Average 72.33, BB 1/31): The ICC Cricketer of the Year clearly doesn't like playing in England and was to be frank, awful. No wickets and no control with only three victims for 217 and an economy rate of over 4.00 runs per over. And like Stuart Broad, any thoughts of Johnson developing as an all-rounder must surely now be forgotten. If Peter Siddle regains form and fitness, maybe Johnson should be the one to drop out? Ashes selection rating: A certainty for the Gabba, but will he last for the whole series?
Ben Hilfenhaus - 7 (8 wickets, Average 23.75, BB 3/39): Despite lacking some match fitness, Hilfenhaus was the pick of the Australian attack (although that doesn't say much). Didn't look quite as sharp as he did in the Ashes last summer but will be relishing the opportunity to cross swords with Strauss and Cook again at the Gabba. And if his batting continues to improve at the same rate, he could be opening in 18 months time! Ashes selection rating: If fit, a certainty
Doug Bollinger - 5 (5 wickets, Average 36.40, BB 3/51): Lacked penetration with the new Duke ball and will be looking to improve with the Kookaburra back in his hand. Always up for the fight though and bowled well on the last morning at Headingley. Alan Davidson is right to say that Bolly is a better bowler than Johnson. Ashes selection rating: Should be the second seamer on the list after Hilfenhaus
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