Series man marking

Alastair Cook

He crushed West Indies with his 243 at Edgbaston. That he only made 61 more runs mattered less than that he then shelled five catches. A relief for all that Cook hung on to the last two chances that came his way at first slip.

Jonny Bairstow

Probably tired after a very long summer, it was easily Bairstow’s worst batting series – 59 runs in four innings – but he did his job as wicketkeeper well enough while England missed 16 chances in the series.

Mark Stoneman

A promising debut, in a series made for pace bowlers, because he blended defence and attack nicely. Stoneman was up to the pace of Shannon Gabriel, and no Australian will be quicker Down Under, even if the pitches are.

Moeen Ali

Like Bairstow, it was probably the fatigue of a long season that reduced his effectiveness after being player of the series against South Africa, but he definitely did not like the job of spinning out West Indies on the last day at Leeds.

Tom Westley

His neat and unbeaten 44 on Saturday showed he has the temperament for Test cricket – he fancied it – but the jury is still out on his technique because only six of those runs were made against pace. Head looked steadier though.

Toby Roland-jones

England needed to put their new workhorse through his paces to find out how he should be handled in Australia, instead of which Roland-jones was given only 34.4 overs in the series – competently bowled, of course.

Joe Root

He averaged 57 against South Africa, now 67 against West Indies, so the captaincy sits fairly well. No criticism from this quarter for Root’s declaration at Headingley. He is growing nicely into the job, 5-2 up on aggregate.

Stuart Broad

His leanest summer. Has to rediscover his outswinger before the Ashes. Swinging it away from lefthanders is well enough, provided he bowls fuller, but he has to swing it away from righthanders, too – otherwise Woakes to take new ball?

Dawid Malan

Good progress, from nervous beginner to looking the part at Lord’s. Can get caught on the crease so he needs the top order to shield him from the new ball in Australia. Would be nice if Malan was more involved in the field.

James Anderson

Took 19 wickets at 14, missing out only in the second innings at Headingley, and capping it with his career-best of seven for 42 on Saturday. He has never bowled more accurately, bending the ball to his will. A unique cricketer.

Ben Stokes

His best spell of swing bowling yet at Lord’s but his batting was even more influential with his hundred at Headingley and 60 at Lord’s. Should evolve into England’s best-ever lefthanded batsman – who also bowls.

Chris Woakes

Batted as ably as ever when recalled at Headingley but rusty bowling after his rib-muscle injury until he finally found his rhythm – and was dropped. England needed him to become familiar with the new ball this summer ahead of the Ashes.