Lyon leads the class as batters fail

Nathan Lyon led the Delhi disaster but Australia need more of their superstar players if they want to win a game in India. Here are our player ratings for the second test.

David Warner – 3.5
The veteran was fighting for his spot, managing just 15 in an agonizing swipe that left him with concussion and a hairline fracture in his elbow. Travis Head’s innings as an opener don’t bode well for Warner, who showed tremendous courage to keep batting. The heart is still willing, but does he still have the game?

Usman Khawaja – 7.5
Australia’s top batsman in that match, the left-hander, was wiped out by two stunning catches, although he did put himself at risk in the second innings by paddling to a man placed for that shot. His freaky dismissal for a game-high 81 was a turning point on day one as he denied Australia the 300 they thought had put them in the box seat in the first innings. Should gain a lot of confidence.

Marnus Labuschagne – 5.5
The world’s top batsman seems to have a big score in him but fails to turn his starts into sizeable innings against India’s top-tier agenda-setting spinners. At least he can take comfort in the fact that it will take excellent bowling to get him out. So much rides on his blade. What happened to his bowling?

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Steve Smith-2
The modern great’s match record of nine is the third-lowest of his Test career in games where he was twice sacked. Dismissed by a gem in the first innings, he was one of six perished by the sweep in the second. Does he have a back injury? It could explain his poor sweep and missed chances when slipping where he can’t get down low enough to get balls at his feet.

Matthew Renshaw-1
Chosen for his experience in India, the left-hander plays like a man who has never experienced these conditions. Substituted into the game, the left-hander is a shadow of the batsman who made such an impression six years ago. Knee problems don’t help, but he’s not eligible in the middle order. Continued selection would harm him.

Travis Head – 6
The selectors said he was chosen because of his bowling, but he proved to be a revelation opening after Warner’s withdrawal. Its breezy 43 is the kind of knock selector that should be at the top of the list in these conditions. When he started the second excavation, anything was possible. Looked more confident about spin when the ball is new. India will do its homework on him.

Peter Handscomb – 7
A great game from the Victorian who has become the most reliable player in Australia’s top 7. Such is the confidence he has in his defense that Handscomb doesn’t have to engage in the proactive approach demanded of his teammates. No.6 feels a place too deep for him. His field work was excellent and played a part in two bizarre catches. Selectors got that call right.