Gabba first Test player ratings

AUSTRALIA 82/110

David Warner  10/10 

An exceptional batting performance to score a hundred in each innings and for a record-equalling third time. His ball selection and running between the wickets was superb.

Joe Burns 8/10 

Warner's accomplice produced a confident and then more confident innings, reaching his maiden Test hundred with two bold whacks for six. Had a rough bat pad debut but his catch off Neesham was a joy and a relief!

Usman Khawaja 8/10 

His fluent and elegant maiden Test century of 174 alongside Warner and Smith wrecked the Kiwis hopes of controlling the game. 

Steve Smith 7/10 

Produced a cameo innings to help Australia's imposing score and marshalled his bowlers intelligently. An impressive start to a long captaincy career.

Adam Voges 7/10 

An accomplished innings of 83no made sure of Australia's empowerment. Dropped a sitter but fortunately it didn't matter. 

Mitch Marsh 7/10 

As a bowling allrounder he had an impact, taking some useful wickets. Didn't get a real shot at batting No.6 so we look forward to that in Perth.

Peter Nevill 7/10  

Immaculate wicketkeeping and didn't miss a chance. Looked snappy to Lyon's turn and bounce. Batted tidily in the nets!

Mitchell Johnson 7/10

  

Yes he was influential, and sharper catching would've improved his numbers. Still has the pace to intimidate.

Mitchell Starc 7/10 

Bowled a mixture of sharp pace, threatening missiles and some wasted short stuff. Always the strike bowler, but still inconsistent.

Josh Hazlewood 7/10  

His best bowling was influential, aiming for off stump-outside edge success. Like his henchmen, created opportunities with control and some sharp pace.

Nathan Lyon 7/10 

Always looked like taking a wicket with a combination of spin, persistence and variation. Has 24 wickets in five Gabba Tests. 

NEW ZEALAND 53/110

Martin Guptill 5/10 

Did his job and blunted the new ball, batting over four hours in the match. Eventually ground to a halt in the second innings, so intent on survival he forgot about scoring runs. Working hard on his technique but needs a big test match knock to really prove his worth.

Tom Latham 6/10

Played Australia’s quicks well and looked the part. Was surprised by Mitchell Starc’s bounce in the first innings then got a brute of a sandshoe crusher in the second. Playing across his front pad looks his only weakness and looks set for a profitable series.

Kane Williamson 9/10 

The best of his 11 Test centuries, under pressure with wickets tumbling. Took on the quicks with a dazzling array of strokes and never looked ruffled at any stage. Batting so well he’s worth two men for New Zealand which might encourage them to play an extra bowler in Perth.

Ross Taylor 4/10

Question marks linger over New Zealand’s former batting kingpin. Looked all at sea in his seven-ball duck then in the first innings was dismissed by one he would have put over the Gabba fence in his pomp. Worrying signs but has bounced back quickly from past shockers.

Brendon McCullum 6/10 

Needed his confidence-boosting knock of 80 after a limited buildup, and was sawn off by a poor umpiring decision. Showed how threatening New Zealand can be when he’s at the crease. Needs a more consistent, concerted bowling effort from the troops in Perth so he can stamp his captaincy mark.

Jimmy Neesham 2/10

Struggled with back soreness on day one and it just got worse. Showed how good players can be exposed in Australia if they’re not 100 per cent. Heading home to recover, completing a horror year in which he sat out eight months with a back stress fracture.

BJ Watling 5/10

Usually New Zealand’s batting saviour when they’re in trouble but couldn’t dig in with Williamson and McCullum this time. Punished for one false stroke against Mitchell Johnson, then undone by Nathan Lyon’s spin. Quality player and may shift up to No.6 in Perth.

Mark Craig 3/10

The Gabba’s not the place to drop short or wide as a spinner and Craig was punished. Too many loose deliveries for a Test bowler, and some late wickets in Australia’s second innings will help his confidence. Needs to lift with the home batsmen fancying their chances.

Doug Bracewell 3/10

Came in with excellent form and deserved his recall but couldn’t settle on a consistent line and length on a horror first day. Much better in the second innings but a poor Test overall when his captain needed him to do a job.

Tim Southee 6/10 

New Zealand’s best bowler, even with an irritated disc in his spine. Unlucky not to take several wickets on day one, was left carrying the attack then broke down after battling back soreness in the Test lead-up. Cleared of structural damage so could return in Perth.

Trent Boult 4/10 

An uncharacteristic poor Test for one of their key men. Down on pace at times and looked short of a gallop. Only hit his straps on the second morning. With Southee struggling he needs to seize control with the new ball, and with overs under his belt should be better in Perth or New Zealand are in trouble.