Hayden finds his groove
Australia cleanswept the series 3-0 and boast the top performers in a contest that increased its competitiveness as November wore on
Peter English
29-Nov-2005
Australia cleanswept the series 3-0 and boast the top performers in a contest that increased its competitiveness as November wore on. Matthew Hayden tops the list while the dropped players Michael Clarke and Simon Katich prop it up
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9 Matthew Hayden
Two centuries in the two live matches and a half-century to close it out. Has not reinvented himself, but instead re-found his dominating manner against bowling far weaker than the attack that controlled him in England. Finished the series with 445 runs at 89, but his magic moment was probably the superb catch to dismiss Brian Lara at Adelaide.
Two centuries in the two live matches and a half-century to close it out. Has not reinvented himself, but instead re-found his dominating manner against bowling far weaker than the attack that controlled him in England. Finished the series with 445 runs at 89, but his magic moment was probably the superb catch to dismiss Brian Lara at Adelaide.
8.5 Brett Lee
Looks fresh, fit and fast, and kick-started his summer with five second-innings wickets at Brisbane. Trying to balance speed with control, he was probing and patient when required, and was the dominant fast man with 18 victims at 20.94. Also played the most memorable shot of the series when he pulled Daren Powell over the Gabba roof and almost cleaned up Carl Rackemann.
Looks fresh, fit and fast, and kick-started his summer with five second-innings wickets at Brisbane. Trying to balance speed with control, he was probing and patient when required, and was the dominant fast man with 18 victims at 20.94. Also played the most memorable shot of the series when he pulled Daren Powell over the Gabba roof and almost cleaned up Carl Rackemann.
8 Michael Hussey
Attacked by nerves at Brisbane, he was out to cross-batted shots in both innings and relied on Justin Langer's injury for a second chance, which he took at Hobart with an assured century. The innings forced a dramatic reshuffle in Australia's order, with Hussey winning a spot at No. 5 for Adelaide, where he juggled the tail like a 100-Test veteran for a second consecutive century.
Attacked by nerves at Brisbane, he was out to cross-batted shots in both innings and relied on Justin Langer's injury for a second chance, which he took at Hobart with an assured century. The innings forced a dramatic reshuffle in Australia's order, with Hussey winning a spot at No. 5 for Adelaide, where he juggled the tail like a 100-Test veteran for a second consecutive century.
8 Shane Warne
Brought back his flipper and wrong 'un at Brisbane and devastated the West Indies tail with 5 for 48, but was required for only two more overs as the fast men finished off the match. A back injury worried him before Hobart, where he took 4 for 112 in second innings, and at Adelaide. However, he bowled spectacularly to claim 6 for 80 in the third Test, ensuring a comfortable chase for his team-mates and placing him within one wicket of equalling Dennis Lillee's 85 wickets in a calendar year.
Brought back his flipper and wrong 'un at Brisbane and devastated the West Indies tail with 5 for 48, but was required for only two more overs as the fast men finished off the match. A back injury worried him before Hobart, where he took 4 for 112 in second innings, and at Adelaide. However, he bowled spectacularly to claim 6 for 80 in the third Test, ensuring a comfortable chase for his team-mates and placing him within one wicket of equalling Dennis Lillee's 85 wickets in a calendar year.
8 Glenn McGrath
Mean and miserly, he gave up 2.21 runs an over and took at least three wickets in every first innings. Flattened West Indies with four top-order victims at Brisbane to set the tone for the series and usually spent the rest of it suffocating the batsmen. Was also pleased to reach 600 Test runs.
Mean and miserly, he gave up 2.21 runs an over and took at least three wickets in every first innings. Flattened West Indies with four top-order victims at Brisbane to set the tone for the series and usually spent the rest of it suffocating the batsmen. Was also pleased to reach 600 Test runs.
7
Ricky Ponting
Opened with a fantastic double of 149 and 104 not out at Brisbane, which not only displayed his outstanding batting skills but also showed his new-found comfort levels at leading the team. Struggled again in his home town with 17 and 0, and finished off a comfortable series win with 56 and 3.
Ricky Ponting
Opened with a fantastic double of 149 and 104 not out at Brisbane, which not only displayed his outstanding batting skills but also showed his new-found comfort levels at leading the team. Struggled again in his home town with 17 and 0, and finished off a comfortable series win with 56 and 3.
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5 Adam Gilchrist
An anonymous performance with the bat as he got only three chances and returned 44, 2 and 6. He was very tidy behind the stumps, particularly in the second and third Tests when MacGill and Warne bowled in tandem. Should be pleased with his 14 catches and one stumping.
An anonymous performance with the bat as he got only three chances and returned 44, 2 and 6. He was very tidy behind the stumps, particularly in the second and third Tests when MacGill and Warne bowled in tandem. Should be pleased with his 14 catches and one stumping.
Stuart MacGill
Spun the ball heavily and out-bowled Warne in the first innings at Hobart, where he grabbed five wickets for the match. Was reduced to second spinner at the Adelaide Oval but showed he could work in partnership with Warne outside of Sydney.
Spun the ball heavily and out-bowled Warne in the first innings at Hobart, where he grabbed five wickets for the match. Was reduced to second spinner at the Adelaide Oval but showed he could work in partnership with Warne outside of Sydney.
4.5 Brad Hodge
Finally received his invitation into Test cricket after more than a year in the squad and began with a fine 60. Held his spot for Adelaide and was pushed up a spot to No. 4, making starts in both innings.
Finally received his invitation into Test cricket after more than a year in the squad and began with a fine 60. Held his spot for Adelaide and was pushed up a spot to No. 4, making starts in both innings.
3.5 Justin Langer
Returned in the third Test from a fractured rib and stepped in smoothly, breezing his way to a half-century before fighting in the second half of the innings. A dreamy return was prevented only by a gloved attempted pull on 99, and he followed with 20 in the second innings.
Returned in the third Test from a fractured rib and stepped in smoothly, breezing his way to a half-century before fighting in the second half of the innings. A dreamy return was prevented only by a gloved attempted pull on 99, and he followed with 20 in the second innings.
3 Andrew Symonds
Replaced Shane Watson and was under more pressure after an unfortunate run out for 1 at Hobart. His bowling was very useful, particularly at Adelaide when he shut down Brian Lara early in his double-century, but did not show how his batting could be a force in Tests. Took his second career wicket but couldn't reach double figures.
Replaced Shane Watson and was under more pressure after an unfortunate run out for 1 at Hobart. His bowling was very useful, particularly at Adelaide when he shut down Brian Lara early in his double-century, but did not show how his batting could be a force in Tests. Took his second career wicket but couldn't reach double figures.
3 Nathan Bracken
Grabbed his fourth Test in seaming conditions in Brisbane and made it count with second-innings figures of 4 for 48. Despite his best display in a baggy green he was 12th man for the rest of the series as MacGill was preferred.
Grabbed his fourth Test in seaming conditions in Brisbane and made it count with second-innings figures of 4 for 48. Despite his best display in a baggy green he was 12th man for the rest of the series as MacGill was preferred.
2 Shane Watson
Showed promise with the ball to pick up his second Test wicket at Brisbane before partially dislocating his shoulder in the field. The injury ruled him out of the series and will give him more time to improve both disciplines.
Showed promise with the ball to pick up his second Test wicket at Brisbane before partially dislocating his shoulder in the field. The injury ruled him out of the series and will give him more time to improve both disciplines.
2 Michael Clarke
Got a good ball from Collymore at the Gabba but when put on final notice for Hobart slapped a short ball to point. A victim of being too hasty early in his innings, Clarke's axing a year after lighting up Australian cricket with a hundred on debut was confirmed by Hussey's century.
Got a good ball from Collymore at the Gabba but when put on final notice for Hobart slapped a short ball to point. A victim of being too hasty early in his innings, Clarke's axing a year after lighting up Australian cricket with a hundred on debut was confirmed by Hussey's century.
1 Simon Katich
After below par Ashes and Super Series, the selectors ran out of patience when he edged Corey Collymore for 5. Didn't get a chance in the second innings and returned to domestic ranks.
After below par Ashes and Super Series, the selectors ran out of patience when he edged Corey Collymore for 5. Didn't get a chance in the second innings and returned to domestic ranks.
Peter English is the Australasian editor of Cricinfo