ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 - Australia vs England: Player Ratings

A still from the Australia-England match

Australia recorded a thumping victory against their Ashes counterparts England in their opening World Cup encounter by 111 runs, at the MCG on Valentine’s Day. England were chasring a target of 343, but were all out in the 42nd over.

Here are the player ratings of all the 22 cricketers who took the field for match number 2 of the 43 day event.

Aaron Finch - After a nervous start, where the opener offered a simple catch to Chris Woakes in the very first over of the innings, Finch looked at ease as he raced away to a 128 ball 135, hitting 12 4 fours and 3 sixes. After the quick dismissal of Warner, Watson and Smith, Finch took it upon himself to steady the innings with an aggressive display of stroke play and was rightfully named the Man of the Match.Rating- 9/10

David Warner - After warding off the early trouble given by new ball bowlers Broad and Anderson, Warner looked well on course for a big score before he was bowled by a Broad delivery wich swung back into the left-hander.Rating- 3/10

Shane Watson - Shane Watson’s dry patch continues as he was dismissed for a golden duck by Broad. With only 83 runs in his last 5 innings, calls to drop Watto get louder and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he makes way for captain Clarke in the next game.Rating- 1/10

?Steve Smith - Smith suffered a rare failure and it was one of those days when he didn’t look comfortable from the very beginning of his stay at the crease with a thick inside edge off Woakes, which rattled his middle stump. However, he deserves an extra point for fielding where he proved to be a live wire and his dismissal of Jos Buttler can easily be termed the catch of the tournament.Rating- 3/10

George Bailey - Bailey, coming off a dismal streak where he has managed just 125 runs in his last 5 games, sileneced all critics as he combined with Finch to steady the innings after the fall of 3 early wickets with a fighting 55 in 69 balls. His captaincy, where he kept faith in young Marsh proved dividends as Australia ‘smiled’ their way to victory.Rating- 7/10

Glenn Maxwell – The Great Maxwell Show was on display once again as he raced to a 40 ball66 with 11 boundaries. Coming at the death overs, he was particularly harsh on Finn hitting him for 26 in 10 balls.Rating- 7/10

Mitchell Marsh - The younger of the two Marsh brothers, Mitchell got out on 23 while trying to accelerate the innings at the death. In the bowling front, he overshadowed his namesakes- Johnson and Starc by picking up a match haul of 5 wickets.Rating- 8/10

Brad Haddin - Not one to have a strike rate of over 200, Haddin did just that by playing a 14 ball 31 cameo at the death overs, along with picking up 2 wickets. His one handed catch to dismiss Morgan deserves special mention.Rating- 7/10

Mitchell Johnson - Returning after an injury, Johnson picked up the wickets of Finn and Chris Woakes, giving only 36 in 8 overs. However, his impact was highly diluted by the presence of Marsh.Rating- 2/10

Mitchell Starc - The death over specialist got the early wicket of Moeen ali, which started the English collapse. He bowled a perfect reverse swing Yorker to dismiss his counterpart Broad, giving 47 in 9 overs.Rating- 3/10

Josh Hazelwood - Coming in place of Pat Cummins, much was expected of this youngster as he opened the inning s with Starc. He proved to be expensive, giving 45 in 6.5 overs and went wicketless.Rating- 0/10

England players congratulate Steven Finn after he took his hat-trick

Moeen Ali - After Australia put up a score of 342, much was expected from Ali to provide the ideal start. However, he managed 10 in 13 balls, besides going for 60 runs in 9 overs.Rating- 1/10

Ian Bell - With the early dismissal of Ali, Bell took it upon himself to steady the innings with a 45 ball 36. It was characterised by perfect timings and shots off the wrist and besides Taylor, was the only batsman who looked at ease.Rating- 4/10

Gary Ballance - Coming at number 3, Ballance looked out of sorts as he struggled to a 13 ball 10, eventually becoming Marsh’s first victim.Rating- 1/10

Joe Root - Martin Crowe has named him as one of the 4 youngsters who will set the stage on fire in the upcoming years, but Root gave no indication of his talent as he struggled to a 12 ball 5.Rating- 1/10

Eoin Morgan - Morgan now has 4 ducks in his last 6 innings! He looked out of ideas as a captain at the death overs when Maxwell and Haddin were tearing apart the bowlers, bringing in bowling changes which were questionable.Rating- 0/10

James Taylor – Unfortunate to miss out on a 100, Taylor was left stranded on 98 after a dramatic last ball which saw Anderson being run out. His stay of 90 balls included 4 fours and 2 sixes and he waged a lone war for England, even when the battle had already been lost.Rating- 7/10

Jos Buttler - The wicket keeper coming in at the fall of Morgan’s wicket managed 10 in 12 balls. However, his wicket has to be credited to Steve Smith more than Marsh, as the fielder took a stunning catch at extra cover.Rating- 1/10

Chris Woakes - Woakes and Taylor inspired hopes of a revival as they put up 92 runs for the 7th wicket- the highest 7th wicket partnership against Australia in a WC game. He scored 37 in 42 balls, eventually falling to Johnson.Rating- 4/10

Stuart Broad - Starting off the bowling with an accurate length, his dismissal to get rid of Warner was a beauty- with the ball swinging back into the lefthander. He dismissed Watson in the next ball but soon started getting hit on both sides of the wicket, finishing with 66 in his quoata of overs.Rating- 3/10

James Anderson - Anderson was unlucky to have Finch dropped off his bowling by Woakes in the very 1st over of the innings. He bowled well in the middle orders, increasing the pressure on Australia after the fall of 3 quick wickets and finished with 67 runs in his 10 overs.Rating- 3/10

Steve Finn - Inspite of his hat-trick there is no denying that Finn was expensive – giving away 71 runs in 10 overs. His hat-trick, although applaudable, came at the end of the innings after the damage had already been done.Rating- 3/10