NASSER HUSSAIN’S SECOND TEST RATINGS
ALASTAIR COOK
HE may have been a bit unlucky in the first innings, when he wasn’t convinced he hit it. But I can’t remember him getting out fending off a short ball, as he did in the second. That was a very good piece of captaincy from Faf du Plessis — and a good bit of bowling by Chris Morris.
KEATON JENNINGS
THAT was a struggle. He looks as if he doesn’t know where his off stump is, and lacks assurance in defence. He’s pushing and prodding at the ball in the hope of hitting it, and that’s creating a gap between bat and pad. at this level, those technical weaknesses will be exploited.
GARY BALLANCE
HE highlighted the folly of playing three left-handers at the top of the order against Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel, who love bowling to lefties. I don’t see any technical changes from when he last appeared for england. OK, he sometimes tries to bat outside his crease, but full deliveries still get him in trouble. I think they will play him at The Oval, but I wouldn’t have him at No 3.
JOE ROOT
HE was out- captained by Du Plessis and used the reviews badly. But some of his tactics on Sunday were good, and he did well to bring Ben Stokes into the series as a bowler. His counterattacking innings on Saturday showed why he should bat at No 3. Overall, a week like this will not do him any harm: these are the ups and downs of Test captaincy.
JONNY BAIRSTOW
GOT a very good ball in the first innings, though for once he looked a bit skittish. He kept exceptionally well, once more, with another good catch down the legside. But he’ll be disappointed with his second-innings dismissal. england need players other than Cook to grind it out.
BEN STOKES
ONLY 18 runs in the game, but got better with the ball. He was handled very well by Root, which was one of the few bonuses to come out of the game for england.
MOEEN ALI
HE was under-bowled. I felt you only needed one spinner, as South africa had, and that should have been Moeen. I was disappointed with his two shots. I know he helped england win a Test at lord’s, but I’d drag him to one side and ask him what he was doing: Du Plessis set the field and Moeen picked out the fielder.
LIAM DAWSON
I’M sure he has lots of admirable qualities in his character, and he’s got something about him, but I’m not sure he’s good enough at either batting or bowling. Hence, you might as well play a specialist batsman or spinner.
STUART BROAD
HE was pick of the bowlers on the first day, but I still think he’s lost his wrist position. In fairness, he worked with that and used the inswinger. But at times, because he’s lost that wrist position, his speeds are down, which is a concern. Knowing Broad, though, he’ll find a way of getting things done.
MARK WOOD
WENT wicketless, but got better as the game went on. But because he’s landing differently to accommodate his ankle, he’s bruised his heel. I’d like england to give him a role, in the way South africa use Morris. Root doesn’t need another line-and-length bowler. you can be quick and straight, or slow it down and seam it. The worry with Wood is that at the moment he’s neither one nor the other.
JIMMY ANDERSON
MY only criticism is that he was maybe a fraction short and wide on the first morning. But he corrected that and looked at his skilful best. His challenge will be to keep that going when the ball’s not moving so much.