Trigger of latest Warner nosedive pinpointed

Former Test captain Mark Taylor has given a rating and his thoughts on how every one of Australia’s players performed in the second match against the West Indies.

Australia belted the West Indies by 419 runs at Adelaide Oval to clinch a 2-0 series victory.

These are Taylor’s player ratings and views.

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David Warner 4/10

“I reckon he looked better in this Test match than he did in Perth. Probably just needs to play tighter. I suspect that the South African bowlers may bring the best out in him because they’ll certainly focus his attention. The West Indies bowlers may not have challenged him enough to get him really focused, so the South African series promises to be interesting.”

Usman Khawaja 7.5/10

“Looked good in both digs, Ussie. Looks in good touch. Obviously didn’t turn them into hundreds, but if your openers are making 60 and 40 every game that’s more than a pass mark.”

Marnus Labuschagne 9.5/10

“Another terrific innings and a very good series, obviously. For a guy who came into the series not in great form, to be man of the series just shows you sometimes you just need some greater challenges to bring out the best in you. So, he looks in good form, which is good news for Australia leading into the South African series.”

Steve Smith 4/10

“I think Smithy probably needs a good challenge … obviously got a duck in the first innings in Adelaide, but a selfless, quickfire 30 in the second innings, which was required. The fact that he looked to keep the game moving forward — I think that’s what we all want to see from our Australian captain, no matter who it is. So, good, positive cricket, and he set the tone with the way he set about instructing the players to play a certain way in that second innings.”

Travis Head 10/10

“Man-of-the-match performance. Played really well. Obviously unlucky to be run out in the first innings and I’m sure that’ll be a disappointment, but you’ll take 175 every day of the week. So, good to see Heady in good form. Probably wipes the disappointment away from the 99 the previous week. I like the way he keeps the game moving forward at No.5. He plays good, aggressive cricket and, I think, helps his batting partner at the other end.”

Run-out chaos cruells Head

Cameron Green 3/10

“Took a nice catch in the gully. Just didn’t look focused in the first innings … needs to get himself going better. He’s not a great starter with the bat and I think that’s something he needs to work on — be more positive, a bit quicker on his feet when he starts. But as we’ve always said before, the fact that he brings that sort of fourth seamer to the table is fantastic. And his fielding — his fielding’s always good, and I love that.”

Alex Carey 7/10

“Batted well in the first innings, kept the game moving nicely, and his ‘keeping improved as the game went on, which is good. I didn’t think he kept well in Perth in the first game. I thought he didn’t look great with the gloves. And even at times with Nathan Lyon in this Test match he looked to be coming up a bit too soon. But those couple of catches he took standing up to (Michael) Neser at the end were very good, and hopefully that will give him a lot of confidence going into the South African series.

Carey stuns with amazing keeper’s catch

Michael Neser 8/10

“I like him as a cricketer. A good, honest cricketer. Does the job you expect him to do: runs in, hits the top of off stump, asks questions, bowls full and he can swing it away a bit. So, good Test match. Did everything Australia could ask of him.

Mitchell Starc 9/10

“I think Starcy’s been excellent in these two Test matches. The pitches haven’t been great for bowlers, but I think Starcy led our attack in both of them. I thought he was really good, not just today but throughout this Test match. He’s got a bit of swing occasionally with the odd one coming back into the right-handers, just bowled with good pace and had better accuracy than I’ve seen in recent times.”

Nathan Lyon 8.5/10

“I think he bowled better in this Test match than he did in Perth. Bowled a better line, a better pace, particularly in that first innings when he got the ball nicely outside the off stump and found a bit of shape away in the air. Good spin. Loves bowling in Adelaide, which offers a bit more for him. Just bowled a better line and always troubled the batsmen, was always asking questions.”

Scott Boland 8.5/10

“Very good. Very much like Neser. Just picked in the side to do a job and just did it so well: hitting the top of off, swinging the ball back on a pitch that was pretty good for batting. If there was anything there to be found both he and Neser found it. To bowl the West Indies out for 77 is a terrific effort because it certainly wasn’t an all-out 77 pitch.”

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