da dobrowin： Cricinfo assesses the 12 men Australia used during the three Tests
Brydon Coverdale in Cape Town23-Mar-2009Mitchell Johnson was the Player of the Series by a mile•Getty Images
9.5
Mitchell Johnson
Began the series by belting 96 not out in Johannesburg and closed itwith his first Test century to become Australia’s third leading run-scorer for the tour. In between, picked up 16 wickets – equal top with Dale Steyn – and provided a couple of series-defining moments. Started at the Wanderers by showing off his newfound inswinger, which would torment the South Africans all trip, and bowled a brutal spell inDurban where he broke Graeme Smith’s hand and reduced them effectivelyto 3 for 3 having got two wickets in his first over. The Player of the Series by a mile.9
Phillip Hughes
Australia’s find of the tour and potentially their biggest discoveryin more than a decade. Became the youngest man in Test history toscore two centuries in a match when he dominated at Kingsmead andthrived on the mini-battles with South Africa’s fast men, who tried tobounce him out. The leading run scorer for either team, Hugheseliminated any worries that Australia’s top order would weaken withoutMatthew Hayden.7.5
Peter Siddle
Continues to impress as a Test bowler with his whole-hearted attitudeand his ability to bowl fast and accurate for long periods at a time.Fought through a painful foot injury in Durban to be Australia’s bestbowler for the match and was a tower of strength in Cape Town when hiscolleagues struggled. Enjoyed a love-hate relationship with the SouthAfrican crowds, who gave him something close to cult status with theirconstant chants directed at him.Simon Katich
Often an immovable rock at the top of the order but the only time hewent on with his strong starts was in Durban, where he scored 108while Hughes raced to triple-figures alongside him. When finally giventhe ball at Kingsmead and Newlands, had a happy knack of picking upmultiple wickets and collected five for the tour at an average of10.80. Will be a key man in the Ashes.Marcus North
Scored a composed century on debut and importantly it came on thefirst two days of the series, when the teams were clamouring to takethe upper hand. He came in at 151 for 4 and ensured a powerful totalfor Australia. Collected two wickets with his handy offspin and missedthe third Test through illness but has done more than enough to bookhis place for the tour of England.7
Ricky Ponting
By his standards didn’t have a prolific series, failing to score acentury, but still averaged 35. Most importantly, hiscounter-attacking 83 on the first day of the first Test set the tonefor Australia’s fightback when they had fallen to 38 for 3 and itlooked like South Africa might run away with the match. Also ledstrongly in the field and off it, which was crucial for such aninexperienced touring party.6.5
Andrew McDonald
Quietly went about his business and played an important restrictiverole with the ball in the first two Tests. Collected six wickets forthe series and it wasn’t until the final Test in Cape Town that theSouth Africans began to find ways to score off him. Spent the firsttwo Tests poking tentatively with the bat but at Newlands appeared forthe first time to believe he belonged in the Test arena as a batsman andplayed some superb drives through both sides in posting 68. Did hisAshes hopes no harm but his fate could also depend on Shane Watson’sfitness.Michael Hussey failed to recapture the sparkling form of a year ago•AFP
Ben Hilfenhaus
Finished with seven wickets at 52.28 in his first Test series butfigures don’t tell the whole story. Bowled much better than that andwas unlucky not to strike more often with his fast, swingingdeliveries, which will be dangerous in England should he win a spot onthe tour. The signs were there when he struck with his second ball inTest cricket, a beautiful outswinger that had Hashim Amla caughtat slip.6
Michael Clarke
Like the skipper, the vice-captain was down on his batting output andhis only half-century was 68 in the first innings of the series. Butlike Ponting it was a critical contribution when their team wasfoundering and their 113-run stand was the key to putting Australia’sfirst Test, and ultimately series, back on track.5.5
Brad Haddin
Another man whose only half-century came in the first innings at theWanderers. Haddin had a disappointing series with the gloves, fumblinga bit too often, although there were no match-changing clangers. Hashad a heavy workload over the summer and might benefit from some restbefore the long and arduous Ashes tour, where he will have a big roleto play.5
Michael Hussey
It’s hard to know what has happened to Mr Cricket over the past year.He is in the midst of his longest lean patch at international leveland a top score of 50 in the three Tests was a concern. Thathalf-century came only after a referral-assisted reprieve, when hislbw dismissal was found to have pitched marginally outside leg stump.In the third Test in Cape Town his batting seemed to have improved andhe played some superb shots but couldn’t capitalise on his starts.2
Bryce McGain
It really was a horror tour for McGain. He started by missing theplane back home in Australia and then was ill with gastro inPotchefstroom, where he was also hit around the park on a flat pitchin the tour match. The joy of his Test debut in Cape Town wasshort-lived and his 18 overs cost 149 runs. Will not give up on hisinternational dreams but must have slipped down the spin peckingorder.