Ashes 4th Test: How England players fared in the rain-hit match
- Planet Sport writer
- 23 July 2023
England were ultimately undone by the weather in the crucial 4th Ashes Test but there were some strong performances worth taking a look at.
Here, we rate how the England XI performed in Manchester.
ZAK CRAWLEY: Cashed in after getting in for the first time this summer as an explosive 189 justified the unwavering faith show in him and added credence to his reputation as a match-winner. 10 (out of 10)
BEN DUCKETT: A propensity to fish at anything outside off-stump is being exploited time and again by Australia. A third low score in succession but a reliable pair of hands in the cordon. 4
MOEEN ALI: Allayed fears of his elevation to first drop with an important fifty that got England up and running in their innings. Outshone with the ball by part-timer Joe Root, not for the first time. 6
JOE ROOT: A barnstorming 206-run partnership with Crawley left Australia bereft. Unlucky to get castled by a grubber but gave England hope of a series-levelling triumph with a key wicket on Saturday. 9
HARRY BROOK: Followed up his Headingley heroics with an understated half-century, one of six fifty-plus scores from England's top seven in the match. A mature knock that showed he has many strings to his bow. 7
BEN STOKES: Restricted himself to a batting role, Stokes passed 50 for the third time in four innings but England could have used his ability to make things happen with the ball in pursuit of victory. 7
JONNY BAIRSTOW: Rewarded England's loyalty by taking a blinder of a diving catch and caught fire with the bat, flaying Australia's bowlers before being left high and dry one short of a 13th Test ton. 9
CHRIS WOAKES: Continues to excel on his recall, bagging a maiden Ashes five-wicket haul, while he was one of the more threatening bowlers as England chased quick wickets second time around. 9
MARK WOOD: A little down on pace from Headingley but still quick enough, regularly breaching 90mph, to cause havoc in Australia's top order as they sought to save the game. Passed 100 Test wickets. 8
STUART BROAD: Reached 600 wickets in Tests but this was his quietest match by far. Struggled with his radar and became increasingly innocuous, albeit with little help from the ball or pitch. 6
JAMES ANDERSON: Toiled away for minimal reward. Beat the edge a few times but four wickets in three matches at an average of 76.75 leaves his place at the Kia Oval open to debate. 5
