England’s response to defeat at Trent Bridge was impressive, while several players contributed key performances in Joe Root’s first series as captain
George Dobell08-Aug-20173:07
Magic Moeen but batting holes remain
9.5Moeen Ali
Man of the Series. Never before has an allrounder taken 25 wickets and contributed 250 runs in a four-match series. A 10-wicket haul at Lord’s was followed by the best bowling figures by an England offspinner at Trent Bridge since 1956, the first ever hat-trick in an Oval Test and another five-for at Old Trafford. Moeen finished the series as the top wicket-taker on either side. He also contributed two half-centuries. It was, in short, Bothamesque.9Joe Root (461 runs at 57.62)
A hugely impressive start as captain. Having scored a match-defining 190 in the first game, he urged his side to improve after the debacle of Trent Bridge and oversaw two of England’s more mature, ruthless performances of recent times in the final Tests. He would still like to improve his conversion rate – he made three fifties and a 49 as well as that century – but, as a batsman and leader, this was an assured series for Root.8James Anderson (19 runs at 6.33, 20 wickets at 14.10)
After injury had blighted recent series, this was a major return to form for Anderson. Not only did he get through all the matches without an issue – no England bowler delivered more overs – but he ended with a lower bowling average than Moeen. The pace may have dropped a little and it was noticeable that Roland-Jones was given the ball ahead of him at times at The Oval, but such is Anderson’s control (he had an economy rate of 2.25 across the series) and skill that he remains a highly valuable performer. Claimed a five-for in Nottingham and just missed out on another one in Manchester.Jonny Bairstow (330 runs at 41.25; 17 catches)
Only Root scored more runs in the series; only Root reached 50 more often. While there were moments when Bairstow’s aggression got the better of him, he remains a highly dangerous, selfless batsman who is capable of taking games away from the opposition within a couple of sessions, as he showed in scoring 99 at Old Trafford. Fared fine at No. 5 in the first two Tests, but looks a daunting prospect coming in at No. 7. Started the series with Ben Foakes pushing hard for the gloves; ended it looking a much improved keeper and a fixture in the side.7.5Alastair Cook (268 runs at 33.50)
While this was a relatively low-key return to the ranks, Cook still contributed a couple of important innings. His 88 at The Oval helped lay the foundations for England’s match-defining first-innings total, while his 69 at Lord’s was made on a deteriorating surface on which only one other man reached 35 in the final two-innings of the game. He would have liked more, of course, but the value of his runs might best be understood by the struggles of his opening partners.Toby Roland-Jones enjoyed a brilliant start to his Test career•Getty ImagesToby Roland-Jones (63 runs at 21.00, 10 wickets at 22.20)
Winning his chance only after injury ruled out Chris Woakes, Jake Ball and Mark Wood, Roland-Jones enjoyed a dream debut at The Oval. Exploiting helpful conditions expertly, Roland-Jones claimed 5 for 57 in his first innings and also batted with some style. Found life harder from then on and the economy-rate – over four-an-over – is an indicator of how tough the step-up can be, but Roland-Jones has given himself an excellent chance of making the Ashes touring squad.Ben Stokes (299 runs at 37.37, seven wickets at 43)
The figures don’t entirely tell the tale of Stokes’ importance to England. But after an important half-century at Lord’s, a vital century at The Oval – probably the most mature innings of his career to date – and two relatively restrained but key contributions at Old Trafford, he can look back on his batting with some satisfaction. He started the series lacking rhythm with the ball but, after a quick spell at Trent Bridge, bowled with control, pace and intelligence at The Oval. He remains exceptional in the field.7Stuart Broad (77 runs at 12.83, 11 wickets at 32)
While he might be disappointed at the lack of wickets from a series played on pitches offering him assistance, Broad bowled somewhat better than the figures suggest and played his part in building pressure – only Anderson was more frugal in terms of the economy rate of regular bowlers on either side – and the eventual series victory. Thrashed a useful half-century at Lord’s but scored only 20 more runs in his remaining six innings in the series.6Tom Westley
Hugely disappointing. While Wood bowled better than his figures suggest, he was unable to generate the pace or hostility that were hoped for from him and was able to play only the first two Tests before injury reoccurred.Keaton Jennings may have to wait for another opportunity after a difficult series•Getty Images3Gary Ballance (85 runs at 21.25)
Despite a couple of decent starts – he made between 20 and 34 in three of his four innings – Ballance was unable to make the score that would either have justified his recall or suggested he could cope with batting as high as No. 3. Whether the selectors feel they have seen enough remains to be seen but, at the time he broke his finger in the Trent Bridge Test, it looked as if he would retain his place for the next game.2Keaton Jennings 127 runs at 15.87)
With his technical flaws exposed by some excellent bowling, Jennings suffered the sort of series that threatens to end – at least in the short term – his international career. While there is no doubting his unflustered temperament, Jennings consistently edged deliveries around his off stump and was unable to capitalise on being dropped on a couple of occasions. He also put down a couple of chances in the slips.Dawid Malan (35 runs at 8.75)
A disappointing start as Malan struggled to make the step-up from county cricket. While he might consider himself unfortunate to receive a brilliant yorker from Kagiso Rabada to end his first Test innings, he might also reflect that his first-innings dismissal at Old Trafford, chasing a wide one, was a bit soft. Four innings is little time to make conclusions, but it is a longer trial than some England players of an earlier generation enjoyed.
