Top 5 Ashes casualties of all time

Not all young cricketers have a dream debut to remember. Sometimes, the pressure of expectations weighs too heavy on a debutant to inspire him to play freely. At other times, cricketers are unlucky to make their debuts at the most inopportune times and are made the scapegoat when their team fails.The pressure of expectations on young cricketers is unparalleled especially during a high profile series like the Ashes. But some cricketers are not so lucky to be given an extended run in the team - bad performances very often ensure that the axe falls on them. Cricket can truly be a cruel game at times. In this article, we will look at the top five Ashes causalities of all time. Only players who had remarkably short careers which began and ended with bad Ashes performances have been considered for this list.

#5 Ashton Agar

Taken into the team as a spinner, a record breaking 10^th wicket partnership is what Ashton Agar is best remembered for

Ashton Agar was picked for the first two Ashes Tests in 2013 mainly as a spinner who could also bat a bit. With Nathan Lyon in the team as their frontline spinner, Australia hoped that Agar would bolster their attacking options in the spin department.

But Agar's only contribution worthy of remembrance was a record-breaking last wicket partnership with Phil Hughes. Though he managed to dismiss Cook once, Agar ended his two-Test career with a bowling average of 124.

#4 Boyd Rankin

Boyd Rankin celebrates an Australian wicket in January 2014

Like Borthwick, Boyd Rankin was unfortunate to make his Test debut at the end of the disastrous 2013/14 Ashes whitewash. Boyd's performance was lackadaisical and failed to impress anyone much like the performances of the rest of the team during that series.

Boyd finished with figures of one for 81 his only wicket being that of Peter Siddle. Boyd has not been considered for selection ever since.

#3 Scott Borthwick

Scott Borthwick in action for Durham

Having been called up at the end of a disastrous 2013/14 Ashes series, the English leg-spinner Scott Borthwick managed to play only one Test for his team. He did take four wickets but he also got hammered for 82 runs off his 13 overs.

It is unfortunate for Borthwick to have been called up at such an unfortunate time but that one Test effectively ended his international career.

#2 Shaun Young

Shaun Young’s brightest hour came in 1997

The Australian all-rounder Shaun Young made his only Test appearance at the end of the 1997 Ashes series. With the urn having been won already, the Aussies called up Young as they were hit by a series of injuries. It seemed to be a sensible decision as Young was in England playing for Gloucestershire at that time.

Young made only four runs and bowled eight insipid, wicketless overs in that match. Australia ended up losing that match and Young was, needless to say, never selected again.

#1 Simon Kerrigan

Simon Kerrigan had a very short-lived international career

Simon Kerrigan is remembered for the one of the worst debut performances which has perhaps put an end to his prospects of playing international cricket. He was given a surprise cap and brought into the side along with Chris Woakes for the final Test of the 2013 Ashes series.

But Kerrigan seemed to have lost all his ability when he was called upon to bowl. He bowled a series of full tosses and long hopes as Watson went on to make merry off his bowling. He was plundered for 53 runs off 8 overs and has not been selected for the international side ever since.