England have won 6 of 7 Tests this summer
(Picture: Getty Images)England made short work of South Africa during Monday’s final day of action to round off what has been a fantastic summer of Test cricket.
After an extensive rebuild of their approach, England have won six of seven Tests, with Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes yielding an impressive performance from a team playing with a renewed swagger.
Will Macpherson ran the rule over the England players during a triumphant summer of Test cricket.
Alex Lees - 5
7 Tests
327 runs at 25, HS 67
Method looks a little confused, but made a couple of excellent contributions to chases. Needs to work on his running, which always feels risky. Worryingly, felt like he was going backwards by the end of the summer.
Zak Crawley - 4
7 Tests
276 runs at 23; HS 69*
Crawley is not scoring enough runs, and knows it. Saved his best until last, and made himself tricky to drop. The upside is obvious, but a big tour of Pakistan is required.
Ollie Pope - 8
7 Tests
456 runs at 38
In the circumstances – never having batted No3, and a struggling opening pair – this was a very good effort. Would have liked another hundred, but twice made a breezy half-century in low-scoring games, which is significant. Earns an extra point for fielding superbly.
Joe Root - 8
7 Tests
615 runs at 68, HS 176
Brilliant start to the summer, before a quiet series against South Africa when he found pitches trickier. Unlike most former England captains, has so much left to offer after time in charge has ended. Has been terrific, subtle support for Stokes. A huge tick for the team that they won a series in which he didn’t score a half-century.
Jonny Bairstow - 9
6 Tests
681 runs at 75.66, HS 162
England’s man of the summer for the extraordinary purple patch that took them to remarkable wins at Trent Bridge, Headingley and Edgbaston. Also played a key knock at Old Trafford, and caught well too. Cruel that a freak injury will rule him out for the next few months.
Harry Brook - 4
1 Test
12 runs at 12
Was made to wait for his debut, which came in weird circumstances; first because of Bairstow’s injury, then the Queen’s death. Didn’t quite happen for him, but looked at home, and more chances await in Pakistan.
Ben Stokes - 8
7 Tests
368 runs at 41; HS 103
18 wickets at 26
At times, it felt like Stokes was using himself a bit strangely. But then you see the numbers, which are outstanding. Bowling against South Africa was especially good. As captain was superbly delicate with his players, and clear with his public pronouncements. Tactical approach takes some getting used to, but works. Set the tone, ran the show.
Ben Foakes - 7
6 Tests
240 runs at 40, HS 113*
26 catches
Kept pretty well if not absolutely perfectly throughout the summer and made some crucial contributions with the bat (although almost half his runs came in one innings). In the first and last Tests of the summer he showed he has a bit of work to do batting with the tail.
Sam Billings - 5
2 Tests
36 runs at 36; 3 catches
Always a willing stand-in, and did not let England down when replacing Foakes in strange circumstances.
Stuart Broad - 8
7 Tests
29 wickets at 27
Amazing feat to get through all seven Tests, and he was England’s leading wicket-taker. Took a while to get into the summer, but was simply outstanding in the final two Tests – oddly enough, when he had the new ball taken off him. We never did see the Nighthawk, but that is probably for the best.
Jack Leach - 7
7 Tests
16 wickets at 36
Slightly tricky one to rate. Often a bit-part player, but when England needed a Test winning at Headingley, he stepped up. Economy was under three for the whole summer. Is a better batter than he showed this summer, although he did get his switch-hit out at Old Trafford.
James Anderson - 9
6 Tests
27 wickets at 18
In a summer that included his 40th birthday, he was not quite fit enough to play all seven Tests (sitting out the dead rubber against New Zealand). But he was superb, and part of the reason it was such a torrid summer for opening batters.
Matt Potts - 7
5 Tests
20 wickets at 28
Out of the side by the end of the summer, but a very encouraging start to life as a Test cricketer. Whole-hearted and skilful, but a bit of work to do against left-handers.
Ollie Robinson - 8
2 Tests
12 wickets at 15
Only fit enough to play the final two Tests, but an outstanding return. Cut a slimmer figure, and his fitness told; he was outstanding every time he bowled and talked a good game, too. Hopes that he can get through more Tests next summer have significantly risen.
Jamie Overton - 6
1 Test
97 runs at 97; 2 wickets at 73
Like Potts, another decent find that adds to the pace stocks. Bowled quickly and batted very well in match-saving partnership with Bairstow. Can he get the ball to reverse in Pakistan? Will be a menace if so.
Matt Parkinson - 5
1 Test
1 wicket at 47
The forgotten man. Given a debut in the strangest circumstances due to Leach’s Lord’s concussion. Certainly didn’t disgrace himself, but hasn’t been seen much in any format since. It will be very interesting to see if he gets the call for Pakistan.
