England vs. Australia: Player Rankings for the ODI Series

A total of 31 players took the field in the recent one-day international series between England and Australia, of whom some impressed while others failed to do so.

In Australia’s 3-2 series win, there were some strong performances from both sides with bat and ball, and a number of individuals who made headlines for right and wrong reasons.

With that in mind, we have ranked all 31 players, with the worst-performing nearer the bottom and those who did better nearer the top.

And while it is not a perfect method, it gives at least an indication of how well each individual did relative to their team-mates and opponents.

Read on for the ranking of both sets of players.

2 matches
2 runs; no batting average; 2* highest score
0 wickets; no bowling average; no BBI

In at No. 31 comes the unfortunate James Pattinson, who played two games and looked to be struggling with the new ball.

The Australian seamer has struggled with injuries in the past and will surely come good again, but this was a poor return for such a talented performer.

2 matches
4 runs; 2.00 batting average; 2 highest score

Perhaps he was jaded after a long summer in all three formats, but Jos Buttler’s worrying downturn in form continued for England.

The wicketkeeper was rested after two matches in the ODI series, and while he is undoubtedly talented, he may well have appreciated the chance to recharge.

3 matches
20 runs; 10.00 batting average; 14* highest score
0 wickets; no bowling average; no BBI

Saved from a lower position by some useful runs, Chris Woakes had something of a tough time as England chopped and changed.

He looks to have gathered some pace with the ball, and he clearly has ability with the bat, but Woakes was another to struggle.

3 matches
23 runs; 23.00 batting average; 13 highest score
2 wickets; 81.00 bowling average; 1-25 BBI

Fast and furious but expensive with the ball, Mark Wood took some punishment for England as he struggled to get the new ball under control.

He is clearly one with potential in international cricket but too often saw his bowling flayed to all parts.

2 matches
5 runs; 5.00 batting average; 5 highest score
2 wickets; 28.50 bowling average; 1-12 BBI

An Australian making his ODI debut in this series was Ashton Agar, and the left-arm spinner had a decent enough start.

Still very young relative to some of his team-mates, Agar may well find other opportunities coming his way in the future after some tidy spells here.

1 match
4 runs; 4.00 batting average; 4 highest score
0 wickets; no bowling average; no BBI

Marcus Stoinis was another to debut for Australia in ODIs, although he had just one match in which to impress.

He did not set the world on fire, although he will surely have other chances in the coming years.

5 matches
77 runs; 15.40 batting average; 44 highest score

Perhaps one of the biggest disappointments of the series was seeing talented Australia opener Joe Burns flounder after a good start in the first ODI.

With Chris Rogers retired and David Warner injured, the chance was there, but Burns could not quite seize the moment and show he belongs at this level.

3 matches
58 runs; 19.33 batting average; 31 highest score

Keeping wicket for England in three games was Jonny Bairstow, having also fought his way back into the Test side as a specialist batsman.

His run aggregate was not the best return, although he did look good at times and offered plenty of punch in the lower order.

5 matches
53 runs; 10.60 batting average; 22 highest score

On an extended audition for the opening spot in the Test team, Alex Hales promised much but delivered little in this ODI series.

He looked in good and aggressive touch but too often was out softly and failed to kick on from a good start.

2 matches
45 runs; 22.50 batting average; 39 highest score
2 wickets; 19.50 bowling average; 2-39 BBI

Having retired from Tests, Shane Watson would have wanted to show he still was worth his place in the ODI team.

Unfortunately, an injury put paid to that hope and may damage his chances of any further appearances.

1 match
6 runs; 6.00 batting average; 6 highest score
0 wickets; no bowling average; no BBI

England’s only debutant in this series, Reece Topley bowled fast and showed some potential in his only game of the series.

He will want further opportunities to prove himself on the international stage, but this was a decent if unrewarded start.

2 matches
0 runs; no batting average; no highest score
3 wickets; 29.66 bowling average; 2-39 BBI

Another Australian speedster joins this list at No. 20, as Nathan Coulter-Nile reflects on a series in which he had few opportunities but showed promise.

He managed to stay relatively economical with the new ball and mostly accurate, so he will surely see himself as in a position for further chances in the future.

3 matches
138 runs; 69.00 batting average; 70* highest score

Opener Aaron Finch has had some injury problems in the past but came roaring back in this series with some strong showings.

His unbeaten 70 in the final game was just what Australia wanted, as he took charge of the chase and saw them home with ease to a small target.

2 matches
60 runs; 60.00 batting average; 59 highest score

Only two matches were possible for David Warner, who left the tour with injury and never returned.

He looked good in his one completed innings as he hit 59, although with some time on the sidelines now ahead, he will want to recover quickly and get back at it.

2 matches
34 runs; no batting average; 34* highest score
3 wickets; 25.66 bowling average; 3-21 BBI

Brought in as more bowling depth, John Hastings performed admirably in two outings for Australia as they rotated at the end of a long tour.

The seamer showed an ability to hit the pitch hard and generate good movement, although given the sheer number of pace bowlers around, further chances may be limited.

3 matches
11 runs; 11.00 batting average; 10 highest score
4 wickets; 34.75 bowling average; 2-43 BBI

Perhaps a little expensive at times, this series came at the end of what has been a long summer for Steven Finn in all three formats of the game.

He will be disappointed to see such a high bowling average, although he will be heartened by his return to international cricket and the front line of England’s bowling attack.

2 matches
12 runs; 12.00 batting average; 12* highest score
4 wickets; 16.00 bowling average; 3-51 BBI

Another England seamer to get some chances in this series was David Willey, and he showed a great deal of potential with the ball.

The left-armer made things difficult for Australia’s top order and even contributed with the bat, showing he has plenty to offer in international cricket.

4 matches
1 run; 1.00 batting average; 1 highest score
5 wickets; 42.60 bowling average; 2-55 BBI

It has been a long tour for Mitchell Starc, and it continued in the ODIs as he played four games and looked a little on the expensive side.

It is hard to criticise someone who came through five gruelling Tests, but Starc will be disappointed with his final figures.

3 matches
42 runs; 14.00 batting average; 24 highest score
5 wickets; 29.80 bowling average; 3-60 BBI

Liam Plunkett was another who struggled to find consistency, as he bowled with pace but found his deliveries disappearing to the boundary far too often.

Plunkett has clearly found some extra pace and continues to improve. With a run in the side, he may well get even better.

5 matches
52 runs; 13.00 batting average; 21* highest score
6 wickets; 33.66 bowling average; 3-32 BBI

Having shown flashes of his value with bat and ball, Moeen Ali can reflect on a decent ODI series for England.

His role in the side is still somewhat unclear, although he showed that his off-spin can flourish in helpful conditions while his batting remains potent.

5 matches
120 runs; 24.00 batting average; 42 highest score
3 wickets; 43.00 bowling average; 3-60 BBI

Another to have experienced a very long summer of work, Ben Stokes looked good with the bat but struggled a bit with the ball.

He remains a vital cog in England’s team, although whether his batting or his bowling becomes his more dominant suit remains to be seen.

5 matches
49 runs; 24.50 batting average; 35* highest score
7 wickets; 34.42 bowling average; 4-59 BBI

Adil Rashid enjoyed a good run in the team in this series for England and appeared to profit from consistent selection.

He is undoubtedly still raw at the international level, but Rashid showed at times why he is so highly regarded as a future spinner in all three formats.

5 matches
156 runs; 31.20 batting average; 70 highest score

Australia captain Steven Smith can reflect on a successful series for his team and a decent one for him personally with the bat.

He continued to look in good form but was guilty of getting out too easily and may well be disappointed not to reach a century when one was there for the taking.

5 matches
164 runs; 82.00 batting average; 71* highest score

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade showed his capability at No. 7 with several counter-attacking innings and may well have forced himself into the reckoning on a regular basis.

His uncompromising style served him well and saved Australia at times, in efforts almost reminiscent of Adam Gilchrist.

5 matches
134 runs; 44.66 batting average; 64 highest score
8 wickets; 24.12 bowling average; 4-27 BBI

On the surface, Mitchell Marsh does not look the most threatening of seam bowlers and can be out cheaply with the bat.

However, he contributed with both in this series to show he belongs in international cricket, and he may well have closed the door on Shane Watson’s career for Australia.

5 matches
166 runs; 41.50 batting average; 85 highest score
6 wickets; 30.50 bowling average; 2-44 BBI

Still one of the most exciting cricketers on the planet, Glenn Maxwell did everything in this series as he took wickets and made quick runs.

He also took several brilliant catches, meaning he was never out of the limelight for too long even in a successful team effort.

5 matches
201 runs; 40.20 batting average; 67 highest score

While he did not reach 100, Jason Roy can reflect on an encouraging series in which he looks to have nailed down his place atop England’s ODI batting order.

His aggression served the hosts well in the opening overs of an innings and gave them great momentum even as wickets fell.

5 matches
5 runs; 5.00 batting average; 5 highest score
12 wickets; 19.66 bowling average; 4-49 BBI

The leading wicket-taker in the series across both teams, Pat Cummins looks to have recovered from recent injury problems and is flourishing for Australia.

The question is whether his body can stand up to an increased workload—especially if he plays Tests again—but only time will tell.

5 matches
218 runs; 54.50 batting average; 75 highest score

One of Australia’s elder statesmen, George Bailey might well have been nervous about keeping his place, but he did not look it.

He played several vital innings and was the glue that held the visitors’ middle order together at times, and he stood up tall even when it crumbled around him.

5 matches
246 runs; 49.20 batting average; 101 highest score

An annoyingly busy presence at the crease, James Taylor was the only centurion from either side and was a real find for England at three.

He is clearly well thought of, as his role as stand-in captain shows, although with Joe Root rested and set to return, his role may be up for further discussion.

5 matches
278 runs; 69.50 batting average; 92 highest score

England captain Eoin Morgan had a disappointing end to the series as he left the fifth ODI with concussion, but he can reflect on another strong showing.

The break from cricket has clearly done him good, and he looks to be enjoying his role as a limited-overs specialist.

All stats courtesy of ESPNCricinfo.