ENGLAND v THE WINDIES RATINGS
ENGLAND’S final Test preparation before this winter’s Ashes series ended with a tougher-than-expected 2-1 victory over a game West Indies. Here, Mirror Sport assesses each player’s impact across the Investec series:
ALASTAIR COOK - 243 against an undercooked Windies attack with the pink ball under lights, but subdued for the remainder of the series, both with bat and in the field.
MARK STONEMAN - Showed glimpses of why he may be a long-term successor to Andrew Strauss without stamping his authority on the role. A half-century at Headingley but failed to get the big score that would have guaranteed Ashes selection.
TOM WESTLEY - Was out for a singlefigure score in four of his five innings, whitewashing the encouraging start he made to his international career against South Africa. May earn a trip to Australia due to England’s paucity of options at number three.
JOE ROOT - Equalled AB de Villiers’ record of scoring fifties in 12 successive Tests. Question marks over his captaincy after the tourists chased down 322 following a sporting declaration at Headingley, although his attacking mentality must be applauded.
DAWID MALAN - May have enhanced Ashes chances with gritty fifties at Edgbaston and Headingley. A three-figure score went begging, though, and he will be left fretting over whether he has done enough.
BEN STOKES - Spared England’s blushes with a first-innings hundred at Headingley, then took advantage of the swing at Lord’s to finish with six for 22 before following that up with a vital half-century in a low-scoring game.
JONNY BAIRSTOW - A quiet series with the bat, with a high score of 21 in four innings. He now averages only 13.85 against the Windies in six Tests although his keeping was up to the task on tricky surfaces.
MOEEN ALI - Hastened England’s declaration at Headingley with a rapid 84 but was unable to have much impact on a fifth-day pitch that offered some turn. Hardly needed at Lord’s.
TOBY ROLAND-JONES - Continues to chip in with important wickets. Was dropped for Chris Woakes at Headingley but came back for the decider and took vital wickets.
STUART BROAD - Nine wickets at 36.22 is hardly a flattering return for England’s second highest Test wicket-taker of all-time, but saw several chances spilled as England’s fielding fell well below the expected standards.
JAMES ANDERSON - Capped a memorable summer with a swing masterclass at Lord’s, where he recorded career-best seven for 42 that included his 500th Test wicket. back on top of the ICC Test bowling rankings, and, in England, he is simply the best.
CHRIS WOAKES - Brought back for the second Test but was short of match sharpness. Scored 84 runs but the all-rounder was unthreatening with the ball.