Jimmy the world beater’s a joy to behold
ALASTAIR COOK TESTS: 4 RUNS: 268 @ 33.5 Given the conditions, against two bowlers who love left-handers, he did not do badly at all. Yes, he will be disappointed not to get a hundred. But he battled hard, and the runs he got in the first innings at The Oval and Old Trafford were vital contributions. KEATON JENNINGS TESTS: 4. RUNS: 127 @ 15.9 He looked vulnerable around the top of off stump, which is where he will get a lot of deliveries in Test cricket, and he had a couple of issues with the position of his head. He could do with a spell back in county cricket to address those failings. My gut feeling is he will come again. TOM WESTLEY TESTS: 2. RUNS: 122 @ 30.5 His temperament impressed me more than anything, both on and off the field. Having good composure and character is more than half the battle, especially at no 3. But he does have a technical issue, which was exposed twice — he hits towards mid- on with a closed face — and he will be disappointed he did not convert any of his starts into a big score. JOE ROOT TESTS: 4. RUNS: 461 @ 57.6 His captaincy grew with every game. He made some good calls on the field, especially with the toss at The Oval and Old Trafford. And his first innings as captain at Lord’s — 190 — was exactly what he needed, because it dealt with the myth that captaincy would adversely affect his batting. Probably for a little while he needs to stay out of selection. He should concentrate on taking this team towards the Ashes. DAWID MALAN TESTS: 2. RUNS: 85 @ 8.8 He got a couple of good deliveries and played a couple of poor shots, but he has a slight technical issue of being blocked off, which leaves him in danger to bowling from over the wicket and swinging back in. He tried to correct that before Old Trafford, but it is hard to do it during a series, because you have to think about where your feet are going — which contributed to his dismissal in the second innings. BEN STOKES TESTS: 4. RUNS: 299 @ 37.4 WICKETS: 7 @ 43. AfTer a slow start, he got better with the ball, having gone into the series short of red-ball overs. His fielding was exceptional, and the catch he took to dismiss Kagiso rabada late on saturday showed his concentration levels were excellent. i was critical of england’s approach with the bat at Trent Bridge, and his innings at The Oval was a good example of how they needed to improve. JONNY BAIRSTOW TESTS: 4. RUNS: 330 @ 41.3 He was brilliant with the bat, often on the counter- attack, which is why i have no problem with him at no 7. His glovework has been exceptional, and he is arguably the best wicketkeeperbatsman in the world right now. Given where he was a year ago, that is some achievement. And even on the balcony you cannot keep him out of the game. MOEEN ALI TESTS: 4. WICKETS: 25 @ 15.6. RUNS: 252 @ 36.0 TO end up leading wicket-taker in a series where conditions suited seam bowling was a terrific effort. not just that, but he took 10 in a match at Lord’s, and a hat-trick at The Oval. And the runs he got in the second innings at Old Trafford were so fluent. He still has brain fades with the bat, but they make him both watchable and lovable. for a variety of reasons, he is one of the most important cricketers for england of the last decade. TOBY ROLAND-JONES TESTS: 2. WICKETS: 10 @ 22.2. RUNS: 63 @ 21.0 He got Amla three times in the series, finds ways of getting wickets, and bowls a heavy ball. from what we have seen so far, in english conditions, he is a useful addition to the bowling attack, which the team will need looking ahead, though he may need to learn some new tricks on flatter pitches. His place may come under threat from Chris Woakes, but he cannot do any more than he has done. And he is a useful no 9. STUART BROAD TESTS: 4. WICKETS: 11 @ 32.0 RUNS: 77 @ 12.8 He got the ball going away from the right-hander in the second innings at Old Trafford, which was the most impressed i have been with him all series. His batting has faded since his halfcentury at Lord’s, but his fitness and speeds look good, and when he and Jimmy Anderson are on song together it is a fine sight. JAMES ANDERSON TESTS: 4. WICKETS: 20 @ 14.1. RUNS: 19 @ 6.3 His series haul of 20 wickets at 14.1 apiece was remarkable. His subtle changes of position at the crease and with the seam reminded me of england’s former fast-bowling coach David saker’s comment about him being the most skilful bowler in the world. To see him grow into the worldclass performer he is now has been a joy. He deserved to have an end named after him and it was the right thing to do by Lancashire. He would not have made a fuss over it but he will have been thrilled to have been bowling from the James Anderson end. GARY BALLANCE TESTS: 2. RUNS: 85 @ 21.3 i DiD not agree with bringing him in at no 3. Play him in the middle order if you want, but to have him in that pivotal position, with three left-handers at the top of the order, was madness. if he does come back in, it will be at no 5. LIAM DAWSON TESTS: 2. WICKETS: 5 @ 33.9 RUNS: 18 @ 6 i DiD not understand his selection. it meant england went away from the traditional balance you need in this country. He got Hashim Amla a couple of times, but he would have liked some more runs. MARK WOOD TESTS: 2. WICKETS: 1 @ 197.0. RUNS: 34 @ 8.5 He probably should not have played in the second Test at Trent Bridge, because the south Africans knew he had a heel issue and he is not the sort of player you should be risking with a niggle. He should only play when he is fully fit.