Australia’s marks out of ten after their 2-0 win in the Tests against West Indies
Daniel Brettig08-Jan-201610Adam Voges
Having piled up 375 runs without dismissal in the first two Tests, Voges was not even required to bat in the third, and his main contribution was to appear on stage to receive the Richie Benaud Medal as player of the series. His assurance at the crease was near enough to total, building a stand with Shaun Marsh in Hobart that broke all manner of records, then complementing Steven Smith perfectly in Melbourne. No batsman in history has a better record against a single nation than Voges’ average of 542.00 against West Indies.9Usman Khawaja
A fine hundred in Melbourne on his return from a hamstring complaint confirmed Khawaja beyond doubt as Australia’s long-term No. 3. He has struck the richest vein of form this summer, his sequence of innings across all formats since the tour match against New Zealand in Canberra reading: 111*, 21, 11, 174, 9*, 121, 109*, 144 and 56. There will be tougher Tests abroad, but Khawaja’s hot streak will afford him greater confidence to tackle them than ever before.Nathan Lyon
With the retirements of Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson followed by a long-term injury to Mitchell Starc, Lyon found himself often in the position of prime strike weapon for Steven Smith. His response was an emphatic series of displays against the West Indies, showcasing all the flight, loop and spin of a top quality tweaker. A threat whenever he came on to bowl, Lyon is now just 15 wickets away from becoming the first Australian off spinner to reach 200.8Joe Burns
Having started with a hundred against New Zealand, Burns’ summer seemed in danger of trailing off after his first morning dismissal against West Indies in Hobart. However he was shown worthwhile faith by the selectors when they retained him for Melbourne, and he responded with a Boxing Day hundred to effectively seal the series. Burns and David Warner are developing a strong understanding at the top of the order, and his effectiveness at short leg has grown with each match, highlighted by a wonderful snaffle to give Steve O’Keefe his first wicket in Sydney.Shaun Marsh
A beautiful hundred in Hobart was not enough for Marsh to retain his place in the side after Usman Khawaja returned from injury, but at least ensured that he will be the first man on the minds of the selectors whenever another vacancy comes up. He showed against New Zealand the West Indies evidence of an improved technique to deal with the moving ball, and will doubtless be the reserve batsman on overseas tours this year.Steven Smith
By the end of the Hobart Test, the 26-year-old Smith was described as moving around the field like “he was 36” by the coach Darren Lehmann, as knee and hip niggles to their toll. However a rest between Tests enabled him to regain some freedom of movement and play with typical panache on Boxing Day. He also led the side with an increasing level of dash, culminating in his last day offer of a chase to Jason Holder in Sydney. The offer was declined, but Smith’s attacking intent was clear.7James Pattinson
Epitomised by the late outswinger that sent Carlos Brathwaite’s off stump cartwheeling at the SCG or the lifter that caught the shoulder of Marlon Samuels’ bat in Hobart, Pattinson has shown tantalising glimpses of his very best as he trudges back to rhythm and confidence after lengthy sequence of injuries. In the absence of Starc, he was able to get through three Test matches without any major fitness concerns, and that will likely breed confidence into more future success.Josh Hazlewood
Bowled better than his figures suggest. After a seven-wicket haul in Hobart, Hazlewood took only one more wicket through the Boxing Day/New Year swing, but maintained pressure throughout. He was showing some signs of fatigue towards the end of his first full summer as a Test bowler, and having turned 25 on the day after the West Indies series ended will be carrying that load for many years to come as the steady link to more fiery counterparts.Mitchell Marsh
Had little to do in Hobart and Sydney, but on the one occasion Smith needed Marsh to step up he did so with four wicket to close things out in Melbourne. That performance showcased how far he has come as a bowler, delivering his seamers at high pace, moving the ball and extracting bounce where others were struggling to find it. A hesitant appearance with the bat in Sydney showed that he needs to rediscover confidence in hitting the ball – a thumper worthy of Andrew Flintoff, Marsh is better off in attack than worrisome defence.6David Warner
An ordinary record against the West Indies was one of the anomalies of Warner’s career until he got to the SCG, where a dashing last day hundred boosted his average while giving a patient crowd something to at least cheer about. Also played well on the first morning of the series in Hobart before tickling a ball down the leg side.Peter Siddle
Did what he most reliably does as the steadier in an attack, until ankle soreness began to affect him at the back end of the Melbourne Test. A struggling opponent like the West Indies is not one where Siddle is actually of best use, for the pressure he can create is of the kind most valuable against higher ranked opposition. To that end, Australia’s selectors will be eager to see him fit in time for the New Zealand tour.Peter Nevill
Did not get a bat in the series until its final hour in Sydney, but Nevill did not let anyone down with another eight catches as his tally of dismissals steadily grows. He can now look towards overseas assignments where there is little doubt he will at some point be asked to play the sorts of innings his neat technique suggests are within his grasp.Steve O’Keefe
Figures of 3 for 63 in Sydney made O’Keefe the ideal counterpoint to Lyon, and should ensure he is chosen when the selectors deliberate on their squad for the tour of Sri Lanka later this year.
