Jake Weatherald and Cameron Green under pressure as England’s Bazball mindset finally delivers

Usman Khawaja: His 52 balls and 78 minutes were the most of any batsman across the two first innings, and he looked as fluent as anyone at the crease, too, before nicking off. Could have kept the top-edged hook shot that was his downfall in the second innings under wraps, but deserves his looming SCG send-off. 5.5

Alex Carey: Fell into Stokes’ leg-side trap for the second time in as many innings – a particularly careless dismissal given Khawaja had fallen two runs earlier. Never got going in the second dig but sound as always behind the stumps. 4

Cameron Green: The only positive of his first-innings runout was that Green barbecued himself and not Michael Neser. Then set up and outsmarted by Stokes – lured into an edge after being pinned on the crease – when the stage was set for him to save his side. Scores of 17 and 19 were by no means the worst in the context of this contest, but the wolves at his door are only getting louder. 4

Michael Neser: One of the great all-rounder’s days on Boxing Day as he hit a crucial 35 off 49 then finished with 4-45. England responded though by successfully hitting him off his length early on day two. Finished up going at almost seven an over. 7

Mitchell Starc: Knocked off both English openers to set the first-innings collapse in motion. Could have easily had Duckett at any point in the second dig as well, but did present rare loose balls to give the tourists momentum. Couldn’t reel it back in for the first time this series when he came back into the attack. 6

Jhye Richardson: Barely required on day one, or day two for that matter. Returned with his first Test wicket in four years and nipped Joe Root out late but bowled fewer than 10 overs for the match. 5

Scott Boland: More MCG mastery from the evergreen Victorian as he cleaned up with three cheap wickets before opening the batting. As threatening as any Australian when England rode their luck on day two and kept faint hopes alive with the wickets of Zak Crawley and Jacob Bethell. That said, wasn’t quite at his best in the second innings. 6.5

England

Zak Crawley: Beaten all ends up by Starc on day one. Responded with class on day two and his textbook cover drive. Hit the right tempo – all too rare in his career so far – when England needed it from him most. Like Travis Head, his second-innings 37 was worth far more given the match situation. Did burn the review on what was a plumb lbw decision. 7.5

Ben Duckett: As streaky as it gets to start England’s run chase, with balls flying in every direction – often the opposite of where he intended. Which is the only way Duckett could have played given the conditions and the tour he’s had. A madcap 34 was his highest score of the summer and exactly what England needed after another listless first innings dismissal. 5.5

Jacob Bethell: Seemingly on a hiding to nothing being thrown in at No.3, Bethell delivered arguably the most mature innings of the match to guide England all-but home on day two. Produced a reverse-ramp to the very first ball he faced after tea on day two, then a glorious conventional cover drive for the next. Mixed and matched throughout his impressive second-innings 40, batted beyond his years. 8

Joe Root: All at sea outside his off-stump and easy pickings for Michael Neser in the first innings. Far more composed when England needed him though in the second innings but undone by Jhye Richardson with the end in sight. Finally enjoys a first Test win on Australian soil from 18 attempts. 5

Harry Brook: Conditions gave him sufficient licence to play his preferred “crash or crash through” game, and Brook crashed 41 crucial first-innings runs off 34 balls. Started with an eye-popping charge down the pitch at Starc and hardly dialled it down from there. Scored more than a third of England’s runs in the first innings though and saw them through the nervous late moments of the run chase. 7.5

Ben Stokes: Should have been at the crease for the winning runs but brought undone by Starc yet again. Incisive as ever with the ball, working over Alex Carey (first innings), Jake Weatherald and Cameron Green for well-considered wickets. Took the ball when Gus Atkinson’s injury ruled him out of the attack, and delivered. His best Test as skipper in the field by some margin as he pulled the right bowling changes and trapped Carey at leg slip. 8

Jamie Smith: Cut in half by Boland after just three balls as England crumbled on day one. Seemed to improve his body language behind the stumps, but a two-day Test in cool Melbourne conditions is a world away from five days in 40-degree Adelaide. 3

Will Jacks: Five in the first innings. Not required in the second, or with the ball, and dropped Travis Head early on day two. Someone was going to have one of these Tests. 2

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Gus Atkinson: Set the tone on day one with seven overs for as many runs before lunch and not for the first time this series, bowled without luck. Clubbed a very useful 28 to go with his bowling efforts. Unlikely to be seen in Sydney given the way he grabbed at his hamstring on Saturday morning, but he’ll be back as an Ashes tourist – and has a future in this attack. 7

Brydon Carse: Has bowled with heart all summer – but almost exclusively far too short – for a surprisingly large wicket haul. Deserved his four scalps on day two though with his best bowling of the series. His ripping ball to Travis Head would hold up well on any highlights package. Bumped up the order as a pinch-hitter for no return. 8

Josh Tongue: Bowled straighter than any Englishman this series and was rewarded with his name being added to the MCG honour board for his five wickets on day one. His three wickets before lunch set the tone as he went toe-to-toe with Steve Smith before adding Labuschagne and Khawaja to his collection on day two. Should have played in Brisbane. 9