Team of the Ashes (so far): Openers

AUSTRALIA

Chris Rogers: 437 runs at 62.42. HS: 173

Rogers took the pressure off himself by announcing this series would likely be his Test match swansong, and the decision paid regular dividends. After top-scoring for his side with 95 in the opening defeat in Cardiff (an effort that saw him equal a world record sequence of fifties in seven consecutive Test innings), he stepped things up a notch second time around, smashing a Test-best 173 at Lord’s (see video above) – the ground he has previously called home with Middlesex. Forced to retire hurt in the second innings of that match after racking up another 49, he was under a cloud for the third Test but took his place and was a standout with 52 in Australia’s dismal first innings at Edgbaston. 

In the fourth Test, he made the first duck of his Test career in the 60 all out, and added another 52 in the second innings to trail only Joe Root (443 runs) as the Ashes leading runs-scorer to date.

David Warner: 333 runs at 41.62. HS: 83

It’s been a tale of two innings throughout the series for Australia’s opening dynamo. In the first innings he has struggled enormously, posting scores of 17, 38, 2, 0, while in the second, he’s passed fifty every time (52, 83, 77, 64).

And as valuable as runs are at any time of the match, Warner’s failure to go big in any first innings has cost Australia dearly. The left-hander has twice been out playing a half-cocked flick off his pads to the short ball as a result of Alastair Cook stationing two men on the fence at deep and backward square leg. It’s an issue he’s identified and is intent on overcoming in the final Test.

ENGLAND

Alastair Cook: 223 runs at 31.85. HS: 96

After centuries against West Indies and New Zealand, Cook came into the Ashes with the pressure finally off, yet the left-handed run machine has again failed to fire against Australia. A fighting 96 at Lord’s – his only half-century – went some way to salvaging an otherwise lean series at the top of the order, though perhaps England’s success and the failures of his opposite number have also taken the focus off his disappointing form. As captain, he’s led impressively. His plans to Steve Smith and David Warner working well at various times throughout the series.

Adam Lyth: 86 runs at 12.28. HS: 37

Lyth came into the series as a potential weakness of the England top six and did little to alter that perception. A best score of 37 highlighted his struggles against Australia’s pace trio, and the right-hander’s position in the side has come under repeated scrutiny throughout the four Tests to date. The 27-year-old will be desperate for runs at The Oval if he is to convince new coach Trevor Bayliss he’s worth persisting with beyond this Ashes series.