LAWRENCE BOOTH’S SERIES RATINGS

ALEX LEES 6

Responded well to the new regime with a couple of punchy innings in Nottingham, but not much either side, and now averages 24 after six Tests.

ZAK CRAWLEY 3

Began with a bright 43 at Lord’s, but managed just 44 more from his next five innings and must now be glancing nervously at the selectors.

OLLIE POPE 7.5

A promising start to life as England’s No 3, despite a tricky time at Lord’s. Innings of 145 at Trent Bridge and 82 at Headingley suggested he can make the position his own.

JOE ROOT 9

Liberated by losing the captaincy, Root batted with more freedom than ever. His reverse scoop off Wagner on Sunday epitomised the new approach. Only his slip catching let him down, but by the end no one really cared.

JONNY BAIRSTOW 9.5

Simply astonishing. No player responded better to the demands of ‘Baz-ball’. Butchered 394 runs at a strike rate of 120, which would be impressive in one-day cricket.

BEN STOKES 9

It didn’t matter that his bowling was off-key. His leadership and man-management were inspirational and his desire to set an example with the bat was unstinting. Like Bairstow, he hit 10 sixes.

BEN FOAKES 7

Stamped his mark on the keeper’s job by helping Root get England over the line at Lord’s, then added a useful fifty at Trent Bridge. His glovework was tidy, before back stiffness and Covid struck.

SAM BILLINGS 6

Foakes’s Covid replacement, he at least added to the highlights reel by catching Wagner between his thighs.

MATTHEW POTTS 8

Looked a Test natural. Removed Kane Williamson three times and went for just 2.59 an over — the most economical of the regular bowlers on either side.

JAMIE OVERTON 7

Two wickets at 73 apiece did not quite tell the story of his Test debut — and couldn’t overshadow his first-innings knock of 97. A useful addition to England’s fast-bowling ranks.

STUART BROAD 7

Bowled better than 12 wickets at 35 suggests, and kickstarted the recovery at Lord’s by removing Daryl Mitchell and Kyle Jamieson in three balls, either side of the run out of Colin de Grandhomme. Belted useful runs at Headingley.

JACK LEACH 7

Grew in stature after suffering concussion 15 minutes into the series. Looked vulnerable at Trent Bridge, but a different bowler in Leeds, with Stokes backing him to the hilt.

JAMES ANDERSON 8

Still England’s best bowler at 39. In his two Tests, he removed New Zealand openers Young and Latham five times, four times in single figures. Now has 651 Test wickets and counting.

MATT PARKINSON 6

Bowled 15.3 overs at Lord’s after coming in as Leach’s concussion substitute and picked up the wicket of Tim Southee in a respectable display.