Wow, what a batting performance from Steve Smith. His z-score of 4.07 means he was an entire 4 SD's better than the rest of the Australian and English sides. Crazy stuff.
In comparison the two next best (Burns, the Englishman and Tim Paine) were both of 0.52. Those three were the the only 3 to have had good tests with the bat.
On the negative side, Warner had another shocker and Harris was poor as well. Having some problems with Australian batting at the moment, especially the top order. With the exception of Labuschagne, cupboard looks bare.
England need a Smith. They have a Stokes, but regardless of his heroics this year, he still only averages 34 in First Class Cricket. He had an average test (z-score of -0.38). Burns has been pretty good in the tests, and he averages 40+ in First Class Cricket...at the moment he and Stokes seem to be the only batting England can rely on. Root has been average in the first test, poor in the second test, Excellent in the third test, and again average in the fourth test. For a guy who averages 48 in first class cricket, its not good enough.
In the bowling stakes, again it was Cummins (1.15) and Hazelwood (1.16) who out performed (and Labuschagne with his freak wicket which gave him a z-score of 2.5!). Again Lyon was poor (-0.55). The English were ok, but Stokes had a hangover after his Third Test heroics and bowled poorly (-1.01). Glad that the selectors are reading this blog and put in my bowling recommendations.
Looking forward to the 5th test. Not sure what England to do, but they need an answer to the Smith question.
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