WOOD STICKS IT TO ’EM!
ENGLAND’S FOUR-FOURSTAR STAR FIREBRAND SEALS SERIES WIN
Joe Root last night paid tribute to his england team for their ‘huge’ effort in coming back from one down to defeat South Africa 3-1 and spoke of the ‘three pillars’ he hopes will bring sustained test success.
Man of the match Mark Wood took the final wicket — his fourth of the innings — to seal a 191-run victory that sparked joyous english celebrations in South Africa’s supposedly fearsome Bullring.
‘We have all had to dig deep and it’s been a huge effort from players, support staff and management,’ said Root after england’s series-clinching victory here at the Wanderers.
‘A big part of our three teams are our three pillars — courage, respect and unity. We have shown those in abundance
MARK WOOD 9
IT LOOKED like England had brought a passenger in Wood until their plan came to glorious fruition when he was fit and firing for the final two Tests. Smashed sixes, took a great catch in Port Elizabeth and a brilliant nine wickets in Johannesburg. If only he can stay fit. 95 runs. Av: 47.50. HS: 42. 12 wkts. Av: 13.58. Best: 5-46.
STUART BROAD 7.5
WICKETLESS at the Wanderers, the venue where he enjoyed one of his greatest spells four years ago, until he was in the thick of the action on the fourth day. Excellent catch to deny Van der Dussen was a key moment too. Ends the series as England’s leading wicket-taker. 61 runs. Av: 15.25. HS: 43. 14 wkts. Av: 19.42. Best: 4-58.
DOM BESS 7
WITHIN days of his arrival as an emergency replacement Chris Silverwood was saying he looked a different bowler after his spin camp with Rangana Herath. And he showed it with control in Cape Town and wickets in Port Elizabeth. 1 run. 8 wkts. Av: 25.75. Best: 5-51.
JIMMY ANDERSON 7
SUPERB in Cape Town after fully recovering from the calf injury that ruined his Ashes but fractured a rib towards the end of that dramatic win. Still getting better with age and hopes to be fit for Sri Lanka. 4 runs. HS: 4. 9 wkts. Av: 19.88. Best: 5-40
RORY BURNS 6
LOSES a mark for injuring himself just as he was growing into the opener’s role and I was musing about him being the next captain. His injury was the low point of the ‘Cursed Tour’. 93 runs. Av: 46.50. HS: 84.
JOFRA ARCHER 5
RESTRICTED to the first Test because of a recurring elbow problem and even then he only just played after recovering from flu. A tour to forget, although he did take five wickets at Centurion. 7 runs. Av: 3.50. HS: 4. 6 wkts. Av: 27.83. Best: 5-102.
JONNY BAIRSTOW 3
HAD two failures when handed a late chance in Centurion by Ollie Pope’s illness but behind the scenes England say he has been working hard and adapting his technique again to Test cricket. Wouldn’t be a surprise to see him No 3 in Sri Lanka. 10 runs. Av: 5.00. HS: 9.