Third Test player rankings: 1-22

1. David Warner

The Aussie opener made batting look easy on a pitch where many struggled. His 69-ball ton in a session was the fourth-fastest in history and his 180 bettered each of India's innings. Two centuries from five Tests to date have secured Warner's spot for the foreseeable future.

2. Ben Hilfenhaus

The leading wicket-taker in the series continued his wonderful form. Four scalps in the first innings put the game firmly in Australia's grip. Four more in the second innings, including three wickets in the penultimate over, completed one of the finest Test returns in recent years.

3. Ed Cowan

Cowan's steady accumulation is a perfect foil to Warner's aggression, although he was extravagant by his standards in compiling a 79-ball 50 in the first innings. Played a crucial role in a 214-run opening stand that set up Australia's win.

4. Umesh Yadav

Rediscovered the wicket-taking form that deserted him in Sydney. Doesn't have the guile of Khan but he is a rare Indian quick who looks genuinely comfortable on bouncy wickets. Five wickets in Australia's first innings dragged India back into the game. Just needs support from the other end, as he can be expensive.

 5. Peter Siddle

Relegated to second change by Harris, Hilfenhaus and Starc but paid no heed to his place in the pecking order with three of the Indian top six on day one. Contributed his now-customary handy runs with the bat, before proving his usual relentlessly threatening self as the Indians crumbled again on day three.

6. Mitchell Starc

Battled for line and length in his first spell but returned to clean up the tail in quick succession with Hilfenhaus. Frustrated India with an unbeaten 15 with the bat but showed his real value with a fiery spell on the second evening when he removed Gambhir with one that popped off the pitch before trapping Tendulkar in front.

7. Virat Kohli

One of only two Indian batsmen to show any spine in the face of the Aussie pace onslaught. Has taken time to adapt to Australian conditions, but his classy 75 in the second innings showcased a technique, temperament and willingness to learn that are well suited to Test cricket. Blotted his copybook by dropping a regulation slips catch when Warner was on 126.

8. Rahul Dravid

Failed in the first innings but his gritty 47 in the second dig showed a couple of other less-diligent batsmen how to value their wickets even when not hitting the ball that well.

9. Zaheer Khan

Played second fiddle to Yadav but his ability to keep an end tight was crucial. Claimed the ultimate victory in his battle of wits and words with Haddin by enticing a nick from the Aussie 'keeper.

10. Gautam Gambhir

Played the opener's role nicely on a bowler-friendly pitch on the first day and could do precious little about the belter from Starc that ended his knock in the second innings. Plenty of his teammates were more culpable for the result.

 11. VVS Laxman

Tried to halt India's first-innings malaise with a patient 31, only to fall when the hard work had been done. His frustrating inconsistency on this tour reared again in the second dig when he fell to Hilfenhaus for a nine-ball duck.

12. Michael Clarke

The Perth Test was always likely to be a letdown for Clarke after his historic triple ton in Sydney, but having made a start he would have liked a decent score. His captaincy continues to be top notch, using his bowlers intelligently and they have responded for him. Took a blinder at first slip in the second innings to show his catching has also lifted a notch.

13. Ryan Harris

The wickets fell mostly to others but, like Khan, Harris' value was not just measured in scalps. Conceded just 33 runs from 18 overs in the first innings, and joined the chorus of bowlers to have recently breached ‘The Wall’, removing Dravid as the Australians wrapped things up. Will be much better for the outing after the best part of two months out.

14. Ricky Ponting

The former Aussie skipper failed to replicate his excellent form from earlier in the series but the openers' double-century stand meant his failure was inconsequential. Remains Australia's most capable fielder, holding three good slips catches.

15. Mike Hussey

Didn't make an impact with the bat but can be forgiven after his prolific outings in Melbourne and Sydney. His gully fielding continues to be a highlight of the series and he took a good diving catch to remove Gambhir late on day two.

16. Sachin Tendulkar

The 100th hundred has never looked so far away as in this Test match, where the Little Master managed just 23 across two innings. Gone was the fluency of Melbourne and Sydney, replaced by an uncertainty foreign to Sachin-watchers everywhere. Will be hoping to redeem himself on the batting-friendly deck in Adelaide.

17. MS Dhoni

No obvious blunders behind the stumps, but another ordinary showing with the bat in both innings. And when a team displays such abject apathy in the face of spirited opposition, how much blame should a captain shoulder? Certainly enough such that Dhoni's leadership of this Indian team deserves serious scrutiny after the series.

 18. Shaun Marsh

Marsh's horror series continued with another failure on his home ground, albeit one that at least reached double figures. He now has an average of 3.5 from four innings this summer - hardly stats that guarantee his place on the plane to the West Indies.

19. Brad Haddin

The wicketkeeping howlers that plagued his game in Sydney were absent but he failed to back up his tough pre-game taunts with the bat, falling to Khan for a third-ball duck. Yet to convince many observers that he should be retained beyond this series - or even this match.

20. Virender Sehwag

While Gambhir, Dravid and Kohli at least attempted to occupy the crease, Sehwag did no such thing. He lasted just four balls in the first innings, setting the tone for the collapse that was to come. Warner showed him just hours later what was possible on the WACA pitch. His second innings was scarcely better. Took one wicket with his offies, but it was Hilfenhaus going the tonk.

21. Vinay Kumar

His military medium pacers proved fodder for the sightscreen in the Australian innings, going at nearly six an over – though he wasn't alone as Warner went berserk. Failed to show anything with the bat and currently looks outclassed at this level.

22. Ishant Sharma

Again failed to take leadership of India's attack and was carted mercilessly by a rampant Warner. That he eventually had the Australian opener caught in the deep counted for little, as the damage was done. The resistance he showed with the bat as a nightwatchman in Melbourne is also well and truly gone.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of BigPond Sport.

Leave a comment