Ashes 2015: Updated Power Rankings for England vs. Australia After 4th Test
England regained the Ashes with a Test to spare after clinching victory at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, by an innings and 78 runs.
Alastair Cook's side won both the third and fourth Tests inside three days as Australia's grip on the miniature urn was loosened in a hurry.
While Cook and the rest of his squad can celebrate, opposite number Michael Clarke is preparing to make his final Test appearance at the Oval, London, in the fifth Test.
It has been a series of twists and turns, as shown in our latest Ashes power rankings of all 27 players who have appeared in the series so far.
Several Australians are slipping in the wrong direction as an Englishman takes over at the top of the charts.
27. Shane Watson (Australia)
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Previous position: 24
It has been a tricky tour for Shane Watson, who was dropped after twice falling leg before wicket—and twice failing to overturn the decisions with the aid of the review system—in the first Test.
The all-rounder told Cricket Australia's official website (h/t Greg Baum of the Sydney Morning Herald): "I was very disappointed to miss out, but in the end I only have myself to blame."
Now Watson has to wait to find out if his Test career is over. The possibility of Australia looking to build for the long term is bad news for a 34-year-old who has had injury problems in the past.
26. Brad Haddin (Australia)
2 of 27
Previous position: 23
Brad Haddin's tour has come to a premature end after it was announced he would be returning home early for personal reasons, per the official Cricket Australia website.
The veteran wicketkeeper was ruled out of the second Test for the same reason and, although available for the games at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, was overlooked in favour of Peter Nevill.
A star of Australia's 5-0 win over England in 2013/14, Haddin's most memorable moment in the current series came when he dropped Joe Root in the first Test before the England batsman had a run to his name. The Yorkshireman went on to make 134.
25. Gary Ballance (England)
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Previous position: 21
Gary Ballance was the unfortunate batsman who lost his place as England tried to solve their top-order problems.
Dropped after the heavy defeat in the second Test at Lord's, the left-hander was sent back to Yorkshire to rediscover his best form.
Still, it should not be forgotten that he made 61 in the first Test, combining with county colleague Joe Root to help rescue England from 43 for three on the opening morning in Cardiff, Wales.
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24. Adam Lyth (England)
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Previous position: 22
Adam Lyth has found it tough going against Australia's bowlers.
The Yorkshire opener has managed just 86 runs in seven innings, meaning the fifth and final Test at the Oval could have a major say on his future in the Test XI.
He has been out caught in nine of his 11 Test innings to date, per Howstat.com. His maiden Test century against New Zealand earlier this summer now seems a long, long time ago.
23. Shaun Marsh (Australia)
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Previous position: New entry
Shaun Marsh got the nod ahead of his brother for the fourth Ashes Test, replacing the all-rounder in the XI.
However, things did not go well for the elder of the two Marsh siblings in Nottingham. He made a duck in the first innings and just two in the second, both times perishing to catches in the slip cordon.
The left-handed batsman has now played 15 Tests since making his debut in 2011, but how many more chances will he get?
22. Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
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Previous position: 11
Mitchell Marsh was a casualty of Australia's defeat in the third Test, as he was dropped from the XI that took to the field at Trent Bridge in the next match.
It might not have done too much for family relations that he lost his place to his older brother, batsman Shaun. It certainly hasn't done a lot for his position in the power rankings.
However, coach Darren Lehmann has since admitted the tourists made a mistake in leaving an all-rounder out of their side for the game at Trent Bridge, telling Andrew Ramsey from the official Cricket Australia website: "(I am) happy to admit when we're wrong, you don't get everything right."
Those words should be music to the ears of the younger Marsh, as he looks to earn a recall for the series finale at the Oval.
21. Jos Buttler (England)
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Previous position: 20
Jos Buttler has had a quiet series so far with the bat.
Becalmed for the first three Tests, he looked to be more aggressive in Nottingham. He hit three boundaries in a hurry but, attempting a booming drive against Mitchell Starc, was bowled through the gate.
Still, Buttler has been handy behind the stumps with the gloves on. England should show plenty of faith in a player of such immense talent.
20. Adam Voges (Australia)
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Previous position: 18
Adam Voges may well be playing for his Test future in the final match of the Ashes series.
The 35-year-old made an unbeaten 51 in the final innings of the fourth Test, though that was the first time he has passed 50 in a Test innings since making 130 not out on debut in the West Indies.
Pushed down to bat at six in the order in Nottingham, Voges has now played enough Tests to receive an upgraded contract from Cricket Australia, according to Ben Horne in the Daily Telegraph.
19. Michael Clarke (Australia)
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Previous position: 5
Outgoing captain Michael Clarke will make a farewell appearance for Australia in the final Ashes Test at the Oval in London.
The veteran batsman announced after the defeat in Nottingham that he would be retiring from international cricket at the end of what has been a tough series for the skipper.
He has struggled with the bat—averaging just 16.71—and has decided the time is right to call it a day.
Former captain Ricky Ponting, who carried on playing after giving up the captaincy, believes Clarke is making the right decision, telling Sky Sports: "Since I retired I have realised I went on too long and Michael doesn’t want to be in the same boat—you need to get away from the group and give the new captain his space."
18. Mark Wood (England)
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Previous position: 19
Whatever Mark Wood achieves in the rest of his international career, he will always have the memory of being the bowler who claimed the wicket that clinched England the Ashes in 2015.
The Durham bowler flattened Nathan Lyon's stumps to see the home side to an innings victory in Nottingham on Day 3.
Wood had been recalled to the Test side in place of the injured James Anderson, having lost his place to Steven Finn for the third game of the series in Edgbaston.
17. Mitchell Johnson (Australia)
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Previous position: 2
Mitchell Johnson has found it tough going in England, as shown by his dramatic fall in our rankings.
Having been the hero of Australia's 5-0 series sweep on home soil in 2013/14, the left-arm paceman has only managed to show glimpses of that form on foreign soil.
He has picked up 11 wickets at an average of 39.81 in four Tests this summer. Even off-spinner Nathan Lyon has better figures in the series so far.
Johnson has, though, excelled in his role as the pantomime villain for the English fans. He told Andrew Ramsey of Cricket Australia: "I definitely feel like I can take the brunt of it and I take the focus away from the other guys, and I’ve really embraced that role."
16. Nathan Lyon (Australia)
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Previous position: 10
Nathan Lyon will know he has to now live with the fact that his wicket at Trent Bridge will be endlessly replayed in the future.
The off-spinner was emphatically bowled by Mark Wood (just take a look at the picture above for proof) as England regained the Ashes in Nottingham with a Test to spare.
Lyon's series has been steady but unspectacular. His role with the bowl has been as a supporting act.
15. James Anderson (England)
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Previous position: 15
James Anderson had to watch on from afar as England regained the Ashes.
A side strain suffered in the third Test forced the Lancashire bowler to sit out the match in Nottingham. Surprisingly, England didn't miss the country's leading wicket-taker too much.
Anderson, who took six wickets in the first innings at Edgbaston before injury cut short his participation in the game, has been included in the home side's squad for the final Test.
14. Peter Nevill (Australia)
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Previous position: 14
Peter Nevill had enjoyed a tough baptism to Test cricket after being thrust into the team to play at Lord's.
But, with Brad Haddin heading home early from the tour, the 29-year-old is now the clear first-choice wicketkeeper for Australia.
Nevill has shown some stickability with the bat in the early going—now he has the chance to establish himself as a permanent fixture behind the stumps.
However, it won't be easy. As Jonathan Liew wrote in the Telegraph: "The significance of the decision to install Nevill as Haddin’s replacement halfway through the series is underlined by the fact that since the Second World War, Australia have had 25 Test captains, but only 23 wicketkeepers."
13. Jonny Bairstow (England)
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Previous position: New entry
Jonny Bairstow must have had some bittersweet feelings at his Test recall.
While the in-form right-hander got the chance to play for England again, his inclusion came at the expense of his Yorkshire team-mate, Gary Ballance.
Bairstow was undone by a brute of a delivery from Mitchell Johnson in his first innings back in the XI in the third Test, but was able to make a major contribution in the next match.
He hit 74 in England's only innings in Nottingham, putting on a partnership of 173 for the fourth wicket with Joe Root. A century was there for the taking until he clipped Josh Hazlewood straight to square leg.
12. Steven Finn (England)
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Previous position: New entry
This series has been much more memorable for Steven Finn than his last Ashes experience.
The Middlesex paceman was sent home from the tour of Australia in 2013/14. Per BBC Sport, stand-in coach Ashley Giles described the player as "not selectable" during the one-day series.
He was certainly selectable in the third Test against Australia at Edgbaston, taking eight wickets in the match to help England ease into a 2-1 lead.
Finn could not repeat his heroics in the next match, but his comeback from a career low has been a real feel-good story during the English summer.
11. Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
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Previous position: 9
Josh Hazlewood has impressed on his first Ashes tour to England.
The seamer has taken 18 wickets—only Mitchell Starc (23) has picked up more for Australia—but has faded a little as the series has worn on.
He received some advice from his role model, Glenn McGrath, before the Trent Bridge Test, per Sam Ferris of the Cricket Australia website: "“I’d like to see him go back to hitting the deck more. If he can get a little more outswing, great, but make sure you don’t lose that bounce."
10. Ian Bell (England)
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Previous position: 17
After two half-centuries following his promotion up to three on home turf at Edgbaston, Birmingham, Ian Bell had a quiet Test in Nottingham.
He made just one run in England's only innings, meaning he ended up taking more catches (three) in the match.
Bell has experienced the real highs and lows of Ashes cricket—he was part of the England side that won in 2005, but has also twice been in touring squads that have been swept 5-0 on Australia turf.
9. Moeen Ali (England)
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Previous position: 16
All-rounder Moeen Ali has played a key role in England's Ashes success this summer.
His runs at eight in the order have helped post competitive scores. He made 38 in a hurry in the fourth Test, carrying his side into a lead that proved enough to clinch an innings victory.
He has also picked up nine wickets in a supporting role with his off-spin. Bigger tests await for his bowling, with England travelling to take on Pakistan this winter.
According to Paul Newman of the Mail, Ali could be promoted to open the innings in the final match of the series.
8. David Warner (Australia)
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Previous position: 13
David Warner has scored four half-centuries in the series, though he's been unable to kick on and reach three figures in his eight knocks.
His hopes of hitting a century have not been helped by him falling into the same trap twice.
The left-hander has twice been dismissed when trying to shovel short deliveries into the leg side, both times with England placing two men in the deep to protect the boundary.
Despite making the same mistake twice, Warner could be set to become Australia's next vice-captain, per Ben Horne of the Daily Telegraph.
7. Steve Smith (Australia)
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Previous position: 1
Steve Smith is the red-hot favourite to be named Australia's new captain in light of Michael Clarke's impending retirement.
The move seems a certainty after national coach Darren Lehmann said, per Rory Dollard of the Independent: "When you lose someone as great a player as Michael was and a leader, you’ve got to find the next man and that I would think, with board approval, be Steve Smith."
Smith has scored 365 runs during the Ashes—but 215 of those came in one innings, during the second Test at Lord's.
He was carelessly dismissed second time around in the games at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, with his shot selection hardly being what you would expect from someone batting three in the order.
6. Ben Stokes (England)
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Previous position: 12
Ben Stokes took more wickets (six) than he scored runs (five) in the fourth Ashes Test. He also happened to take a stunning catch.
His 10-over spell of swing bowling either side of Day 2 at Trent Bridge was simply superb. Australia had eased to 113 without loss before Stokes changed the momentum with three quick strikes.
He went on to finish with career-best figures of six for 36, helping England clinch the series with a Test to spare.
England head coach Trevor Bayliss was certainly impressed, per Ali Martin of the Guardian: "Certainly, his batting is right up there. With his bowling, as we’ve seen here, he could be another Jimmy Anderson."
5. Chris Rogers (Australia)
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Previous position: 4
Chris Rogers is, barring a late change of heart, getting ready to play for Australia for the last time at the Oval.
The veteran opening batsman confirmed before the start of the Ashes tour that he would be hanging up his batting gloves once the series against England was concluded.
Perhaps he might reconsider his decision to end his international career after piling up 437 runs in eight innings at an average of 62.42.
If Rogers remains firm in his intention to retire, Australia will have a sizable void to fill at the top of their order alongside David Warner.
4. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
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Previous position: 6
The resigned look on Mitchell Starc's face when he claimed his fifth wicket in England's first innings of the fourth Test rather summed up Australia's situation in the match.
While he was able to enjoy some personal success, the bowler knew that his team were heading towards a defeat that would mean they surrendered their grip on the Ashes.
Starc, rather than Mitchell Johnson, has been the left-arm paceman that has caused the home side the most problems. He has picked up 18 wickets in four Tests at an average of 27.27.
3. Alastair Cook (England)
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Previous position: 7
What a series it has been for Alastair Cook, England's previously much-maligned captain who has impressed with his leadership.
His performances with the bat have not gone as well as he would have liked, with the left-hander averaging 31.85 and only passing 50 once in seven innings.
However, as skipper he has excelled in the heat of an Ashes battle. Cook even got a little emotional at the post-match ceremony in Nottingham after his side had regained the urn.
Even the captain himself admitted he had not expected his young side to be so successful, per Sam Sheringham of BBC Sport: "I didn't think we were quite ready to win the Ashes because I thought you needed players who were match-hardened, but the guys out there surprised me."
2. Stuart Broad (England)
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Previous position: 8
Stuart Broad was the hero of England's victory in the fourth Ashes Test.
Without new-ball partner James Anderson, the Nottinghamshire bowler stood up to be counted at his home ground of Trent Bridge.
He picked up eight for 15, including taking his 300th Test scalp, as Austalia were all out for 60. He also started a Twitter trend—#OhMyBroad—with his reaction to Ben Stokes' catch to dismiss Adam Voges.
Broad's performance was a new personal best, as he revealed to Lawrence Booth of the Mail: "It’s one of those days you dream of: your home ground, 300 Test wickets, then a career-best. My previous best was seven for 12 against Kimbolton School Under-15s, so it’s nice to get it against Australia."
1. Joe Root (England)
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Previous position: 3
Joe Root is not just on top of our rankings—he's also now leading the way in the ICC batting rankings, too.
An innings of 130 in the fourth Test, taking his tally for the series to 443 runs, saw the Yorkshireman overtake Steven Smith at the summit of the ICC's list.
Root can do little wrong right now—even his impression of former England bowler turned television pundit Bob Willis on Sky Sports was impressive.
The right-hander has now scored eight centuries in 31 Test appearances. But, per Alex Sharp of the Mail, he's not letting success go to his head, as he agreed to undertake 12th man duties for his brother Billy's team.
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