A series triumph 49 years in the making:

TOM LATHAM Rating: 4

(6 innings, 99 runs at 16.5, HS 50).

A disappointing series for the senior man and one of the best players of spin in the side. Played a loose shot to Yasir Shah then got a ripper from Hasan Ali and never really recovered. Looked set in the second innings in Dubai but got a rough call and that was that.

(6 innings, 131 runs at

JEET RAVAL Rating: 5

21.83, HS 46).

Gets a pass mark for two significant innings in his first tests away from home. Looked the part against the quicks but fell into Yasir’s web in Dubai and found it tricky to extricate himself. Still good enough to feel safe for the five home tests.

(6 innings, 386 runs at 77.2, HS 139).

The thesaurus got a solid workout during that third test as he showed his absolute world class. Ground out top score in the first innings then crafted one of his best and most significant hundreds in the second, hugely satisfying for the skipper to usher in one of the team’s best away series victories.

(6 innings, 125 runs at 20.83, HS 82).

A funny old series for the senior statesman who struggled against Yasir then hit out in the third test before falling to the leg side trap.

KANE WILLIAMSON Rating: 9 ROSS TAYLOR Rating: 5

One significant knock in the second test had New Zealand on the road to safety but a soft catch ended that.

HENRY NICHOLLS

(6 innings, 287 runs at 57.4, HS 126no).

Got through some jitters to confidently stamp his mark as a batting mainstay for years to come, especially his unbeaten third test hundred which added to his growing catalogue of quality test knocks under pressure. Should kick on from here and have a big home summer.

BJ WATLING Rating: 8

(6 innings, 174 runs at 34.8, HS 77no). Immense in the first innings of the

Rating: 8

third test to carry on Williamson’s hard toil and help post a competitive total. Showed how valuable he remains at No 6 and kept his standards high with the gloves, snaring 10 catches and a stumping including a crucial leg side grab to remove Asad Shafiq.

(6 innings, 63 runs at 10.5, HS 26; 63 overs, 5 wickets at 25.6, BB 2-30).

COLIN DE GRANDHOMME Rating: 6

Made up ground on the last day of the series with a power hitting cameo then a gem of a delivery to remove dangerman Azhar Ali. Had some tidy spells with the ball, otherwise it was a struggle with the bat against spin and reverse swing. Will enjoy a return home to conditions.

TIM SOUTHEE

(37 overs, 4 wickets at 24.50, BB 3-42).

Recalled for the third test, made a rusty start after a few idle weeks but warmed to his task on the final day. A stunner to remove Mohammad Hafeez got New Zealand on a roll and he helped polish off the tail to play his part in the victory.

Rating: 6 WILL SOMERVILLE (56 overs, 7 wickets at 18.14, BB 4-75). Rating: 9

A cracking story and enhanced the fairytale by helping spin his country