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International Cricketer
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
So yet another completed English test series, yet more discussion of what England needs to do with it's batting order and team constitution. Putting all that aside and saving it for the review, let's start with the individual player ratings for both England and Pakistan.
England
A. Cook - 7/10. He never looked out of sorts and always played with a positive mind set. In doing so, he put together his finest strike rate and a very important century. Sadly, in and among all the good, there were silly shots and an over confident manor which ultimately cost him and the team.
A. Hales - 2/10. A batting average of just over 18 across 8 innings says it all. For all the patience the ECB has shown in recent years with faith in a player, it's clear Hales isn't ready for test cricket. It's not just the lack of top order skill but also top class temperament.
J. Root - 7/10. A marvelous double century, which will probably becomes his definitive test innings masks a deeper problem. Much like his captain, Root was over confident. his average may seem impressive but take away that one big innings and you have a player who played loose shots in at least 4 separate innings. Just not good enough for the world's best young batsman.
J. Vince - 4/10. Vince never looked bad but he never looked good either. There is certainly an argument here for Vince retaining his position, especially on the flat tracks of Asia...then again, can he handle the heat and spin? When Wahab Riaz talked about England's frail middle order, he must have been looking at Vince.
G. Ballance - 5/10. For a player who is playing for his position in the team Ballance never quite looked like he cared. Yes he got a half century but when it mattered, he gave his wicket away and walked off the field like his position was guaranteed. The very epitome of lazy.
J. Bairstow - 6/10. Bairstow showed some real grit and guts throughout the series. He often had to bat out a bad situation and would do so, with aggression and a never say die attitude. England need more of this and a little less whinging.
M. Ali - 7/10. Only now are the whispers getting louder, "Get Ali in the middle order, he isn't a top spinner." I've said this for a while. Having said that, he managed 11 wickets, becoming England's third highest tally, just 2 behind Broad. His batting however, saved England multiple times. Flair and aggression, all wrists and poise, Ali really came into his own this series.
C. Woakes - 8/10. What is it about England and their all rounders grabbing the series by its horns? Woakes carried on the traditions of Botham and Flintoff. He looked exceptional with the ball, extracting swing where others could not and bounce on dead, flat pitches. I once describes Woakes as a "bits and pieces cricketer"...not anymore. This is a genuine all rounder.
S. Broad - 6/10. Another test series and another solid performance by Broad. His batting has become embarrassing now but his bowling is still consistent (if not spectacular). I feel Broad is no longer the bowler he was 3-4 years ago but he still runs in, gives it his all and is an experienced head in the squad. 13 wickets at 28 is steady.
S. Finn - 5/19. The once vaunted pace bowler who could rip through batting line ups is no more. Instead we have a man struggling with confidence and his own body. It's sad to see Finn look...ok. Just plain ok. The fiery pace shows up every now and then but there's no bite and little intent. His strike rate of 126 is shocking.
J. Anderson - 6/10. Much like broad, Anderson was Anderson. Consistent, getting swing and the odd moan in. maybe it was the injury or maybe it was the fact that the Pakistan batsman didn't play many shots against him but Jimmy didn't quite look at his best. There weer the odd moments but nothing special...none of that last minute magic that has helped England seal so many test series wins.
Stokes and Ball both had a game each so it'd be unfair to rate them on that, although I feel Ball isn't really a test player or an international quality player in any format.
England
A. Cook - 7/10. He never looked out of sorts and always played with a positive mind set. In doing so, he put together his finest strike rate and a very important century. Sadly, in and among all the good, there were silly shots and an over confident manor which ultimately cost him and the team.
A. Hales - 2/10. A batting average of just over 18 across 8 innings says it all. For all the patience the ECB has shown in recent years with faith in a player, it's clear Hales isn't ready for test cricket. It's not just the lack of top order skill but also top class temperament.
J. Root - 7/10. A marvelous double century, which will probably becomes his definitive test innings masks a deeper problem. Much like his captain, Root was over confident. his average may seem impressive but take away that one big innings and you have a player who played loose shots in at least 4 separate innings. Just not good enough for the world's best young batsman.
J. Vince - 4/10. Vince never looked bad but he never looked good either. There is certainly an argument here for Vince retaining his position, especially on the flat tracks of Asia...then again, can he handle the heat and spin? When Wahab Riaz talked about England's frail middle order, he must have been looking at Vince.
G. Ballance - 5/10. For a player who is playing for his position in the team Ballance never quite looked like he cared. Yes he got a half century but when it mattered, he gave his wicket away and walked off the field like his position was guaranteed. The very epitome of lazy.
J. Bairstow - 6/10. Bairstow showed some real grit and guts throughout the series. He often had to bat out a bad situation and would do so, with aggression and a never say die attitude. England need more of this and a little less whinging.
M. Ali - 7/10. Only now are the whispers getting louder, "Get Ali in the middle order, he isn't a top spinner." I've said this for a while. Having said that, he managed 11 wickets, becoming England's third highest tally, just 2 behind Broad. His batting however, saved England multiple times. Flair and aggression, all wrists and poise, Ali really came into his own this series.
C. Woakes - 8/10. What is it about England and their all rounders grabbing the series by its horns? Woakes carried on the traditions of Botham and Flintoff. He looked exceptional with the ball, extracting swing where others could not and bounce on dead, flat pitches. I once describes Woakes as a "bits and pieces cricketer"...not anymore. This is a genuine all rounder.
S. Broad - 6/10. Another test series and another solid performance by Broad. His batting has become embarrassing now but his bowling is still consistent (if not spectacular). I feel Broad is no longer the bowler he was 3-4 years ago but he still runs in, gives it his all and is an experienced head in the squad. 13 wickets at 28 is steady.
S. Finn - 5/19. The once vaunted pace bowler who could rip through batting line ups is no more. Instead we have a man struggling with confidence and his own body. It's sad to see Finn look...ok. Just plain ok. The fiery pace shows up every now and then but there's no bite and little intent. His strike rate of 126 is shocking.
J. Anderson - 6/10. Much like broad, Anderson was Anderson. Consistent, getting swing and the odd moan in. maybe it was the injury or maybe it was the fact that the Pakistan batsman didn't play many shots against him but Jimmy didn't quite look at his best. There weer the odd moments but nothing special...none of that last minute magic that has helped England seal so many test series wins.
Stokes and Ball both had a game each so it'd be unfair to rate them on that, although I feel Ball isn't really a test player or an international quality player in any format.
