australia report card

Matthew Hayden - in sublime form.

Matthew Hayden

The World Cup's highest run-scorer by a long shot. Three tons, a fifty, 18 sixes and an average of well over 70, Hayden pummelled his way to 659 runs at the top of the Aussie order. Was belligerent on every occasion and the opposing teams' wish quickly became: 'If we could just get Hayden out then...' Rating: 9.

Adam Gilchrist

His 149 in the final went a long way in bolstering an otherwise average World Cup for perhaps the greatest big-hitter in the history of the game. His ability to make those powerplay overs really count is near unsurpassed an in tandem with Hayden, it's almost always willow-wielding carnage. Oh... and his keeping was impeccable too. 7.

Ricky Ponting

Captain oh captain! How awesome it must be to be in a team where once Hayden or Gilchrist get out, Ponting strides to the crease. 539 runs including a century and four half-tons in nine knocks, unbeaten as skipper for the entire tournament and the respect of all and sundry. Punter is Australia. 9.

Michael Clarke

Being groomed as the next middle-order stalwart and perhaps even as Ponting's successor as captain. Clarke didn't have a spectacular World Cup but it certainly wasn't average. Over 400 runs at an average of close on 90. Those part-time spinners of his not proving pretty handy - Jayasuriya's wicket in the final baring testament to that. 7.

Andrew Symonds

His World Cup campaign got off to a belated start thanks to a torn bicep. Was often left to bat out the closing overs and did so effectively - racked up five not outs in the process, ballooning his average. Didn't play as much of a role with the ball as one might have anticipated. 6.

Mike Hussey

'Mr Cricket' had a really quiet World Cup. Was never really yielded much of a chance down at number six by virtue of the fact that come time for him to bat, the job was pretty much done by run-machines Hayden, Ponting and co. When he did get in, he racked up a few single figure totals, messing up that once-huge, now-faltering average of his. 4.

Brad Hodge

A ton against Holland, a handful of overs of those 'chinaman' spinners of his and a Caribbean tan are the sum total of Hodges' World Cup. A lot more could have ridden on his shoulders had Symonds not recovered from injury in time, but eventually the Aussies settled on their tried-and-tested middle-order and Hodge watched on from the sidelines. 6.

Brad Haddin

The curse of being the reserve - Gilchrist's understudy looked good in the nets but that's as far as he got. As with Johnson, will surely benefit from the experience gained on the tour. Sure to play more of a role in the future so keep your eyes open next World Cup for the young keeper. n/a.

Stuart Clark

It was close on unbelievable when he was not selected for the original squad but sanity prevailed by default when Brett Lee was forced out due to injury. Clark bagged one match for his afterthought selection, pitching in economically and nabbing a wicket against Ireland. The next McGrath? We still reckon so. 6.

Mitchell Johnson

Another bloke who didn't get a game, his hopes must have been high when Lee injured himself and was unable to make it to the Caribbean. Hopes of stepping up to the plate in the star speedster's absence were quickly put to bed as Clark was called up and consequently selected for a good few games instead of the hopeful youngster. n/a.

Brad Hogg

Basking in the retirement of Shane Warne proving there is life after the legend. Hogg's guile and flight got the better of batsmen on most occasions and his inclusion in the Aussie attack added great variation to a somewhat pace-dominated armoury. More than useful with the bat at number eight or nine. 8.

Nathan Bracken

Quite happy to steer away from the limelight hogged by Tait and just do what he's paid to do, take wickets. Took 10 in total and sported an economy rate of just over three and a half. Left-armed late swing proving the downfall of most of his victims. Not too bad with the bat either. 8.

Glenn McGrath

The veteran bowed out of the game in awesome style finishing top wicket-taker. McGrath's swansong was oh so sweet, of course finishing on the winning side of the final. Bagged just one wicket in the final, a rank full-toss doing the job - hardly a fitting end to an exquisite career. Voted man of the tournament too, beating countryman Hayden for the accolade. 9.

Shaun Tait

Super fast, super erratic and super popular with the selectors. Showed his mettle in the absence of Lee rattling even the most composed of batsmen with that incredible pace. The thing is, amongst all that pace there are just too many boundary balls tossed about - something that'll become less prevalent with time, no doubt. 7.

Shane Watson

His spot in the touring side was under question from a handful of former Aussie players from the get-go but he did a really good job of showing up their doubt. A true all-rounder able to bat up and down order. Was impressive second or third change with the ball and bar injury, this will certainly not be his last World Cup. 7.

Jonhenry Wilson