England are back in the Investec Test series after the win at Southampton and Alistair Cook is once again the nation’s favorite son, after his great performance both as a captain and as the senior batsman in the side. We rate how Cook and other English players have fared so far in the three Tests played against India.
Alastair Cook: 5/10
Had we rated Cook before the Southampton Test, we would struggle to give him a rating of even 1. But his excellent performance in the third Test with the bat, having made a total of 165 runs, with two fifties and getting out only once, plus his imaginative captaincy has salvaged what was so far a disastrous series for Cook. Whether Cook has really been resurrected or was the Southampton Test as flash in the pan will be known only at the end of what is turning out to a most brilliant and highly competitive Test series.
Sam Robson: 3/10
Robson started well, with a half century at Trent Bridge, but since then, he has been found to have serious issues with his batting technique and seems to a sitting duck for all Indian seamers bowling just outside the off-stump.
Gary Ballance: 10/10
Ballance has had a perfect Test career so far, and his performance in this Test series has been perfect as well. He hasn’t put a foot wrong, scoring big hundreds at crucial times and has been almost impossible to get out. Indeed, when he did get out at Southampton, it was because of poor umpiring. DRS technology would have bailed him out. Right now, Ballance is England’s best batsman, which is amazing as he has only played 6 Tests so far.
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Ian Bell: 5/10
Like his captain Cook, Bell had a horrible Test series until the Southampton Test, where he made a big hundred in the classically elegant Ian Bell style. Bell is back and it remains to be seen if he continues his new found form in the rest of the series.
Joe Root: 6/10
It’s been a mixed series for Root, he has made a critical hundred rescuing his side from a terrible situation at Lord’s, made a quick fifty in the second innings at Southampton, but hasn’t done much in the rest of the opportunities that he’s got so far. But he is very much a critical player for England.
Moeen Ali: 9/10
Moeen Ali has been a revelation for England. Statistically, he has been England’s best bowler after James Anderson, which is amazing as he was said to be just a harmless part time off spinner before the series began. But his match winning performance at Southampton has changed everything and the world sees Moeen today in a whole new light. His added ability with the bat makes him an indispensable part of the England Test team. In Moeen, England have not only found a replacement for Graeme Swann, but discovered a genuine all-rounder. Now, if only he keeps his interest in Middle East politics away and concentrates just on cricket!
Jos Buttler: 10/10
Has played just one match, but gets full marks, as he was just perfect in it. Not only was he brilliant with the bat, his wicketkeeping too came in for a lot of praise. Did everything right.
Stuart Broad: 8/10
One half of the England strike bowling duo, Broad has done fairly well, been a constant threat to the Indian batsmen and an excellent support to his friend Jimmy Anderson. He would be looking to pick up more wickets though.
James Anderson: 9/10
Anderson is a true match winner, and he proved it again at Southampton. He has been a constant menace to the Indians, both on and off the field. His running battle with Ravindra Jadeja, on and off the field, has made this series so very exciting, and long may it continue. He will be relieved to come out unscathed out of the hearing held on complaints of physical violence made against him by the Indian management though. He is the one England cricketer that Indians really fear, who they feel has their number.
Liam Plunkett: 8/10
Was the best England player at Lord’s, impressed one and all with his pace and did well as a batsman as well. Missed out the win at Southampton because of exhaustion and will be back at Old Trafford. He is a vital part of this team
Ben Stokes: 3/10
His batting has been disastrous and bowling just about okay. He will struggle to hold his place in the England side just as a bowler though.
Chris Woakes: 3/10
Bowled with a lot of heart at Southampton, but to little effect.
Chris Jordan: 3/10
His bowling was horrible, but gets points for his brilliant catching at first slip. His catch to dismiss India’s best batsman at a crucial moment in the Southampton Test, was simply outstanding.
