Ultimately Smith just needed another ally.
For the series:
1. Renshaw - He has had a shocking final test and those drops probably lost any chance in this test but his first three tests all had solid contributions without going on with it. He's a potential great to do what he is doing at his age. 6
2. Warner - Clearly a flat track bully and has let his team down desperately all series, should have been dropped. 2
3. Smith - Head and shoulders above every other batsman in the team, this series loss is not attributable to him at all, one of the best foreign captain performances ever. 9
4. Marsh - Was picked as an Asian conditions specialist and whilst delivering that great third test knock, has ultimately disappointed, showed a penchant to get out at momentum changing times. 4
5. Handscomb - Probably the most frustrating player on the tour, got starts but just didn't capitalize except for THAT innings. 6
6. Maxwell - A bit of a surprise really, given his undoubted potential, I think he is worth persisting with but should have bowled a little more. 7
7. Wade - Dropped some important catches but made some important runs, probably needed a few more though. 6
8. Cummins - Got through two tests with a very heavy workload and made low and slow pitches dance, his batting is a big plus moving forward as him and Starc provide some lower order batting strength. 8
9. O'Keefe - What a first test! He was never going to be the series destroying wicket taker but toiled with heart. That massive third test effort was stunning. Could have used more runs off the bat. 7
10. Hazlewood - He is a star, never gives up and took a lot of useful wickets. 7
11. Lyon - That first innings in the second test was epic, kind of unrealistic to expect him to back it up but he did well in the fourth test. Very nice tour that is underrated as always. 8
MMarsh - Should probably now be stamped as never to be picked again unfortunately but his record and regression plus injury proneness probably means he is done. 2
Starc - Really needed him to stay fit as his loss was not only important for his bowling and very important batting but also because it meant there was precious little rough moving forward for our spinners to use to their right handers. 8
Moving into the next test series, this is my side:
1. Renshaw
2. Warner (But when playing in Asia, he is first one out of the side)
3. Khawaja
4. Smith
5. Maxwell
6. Handscomb (wk)
7. Starc
8. Cummins
9. Pattinson
10. Hazlewood
11. Lyon