NICK HOWSON looks at the stand-out performers and those who flattered to deceive during the three-Test series, won 2-1 by the hosts
Alex Lees (3 matches, 96 runs, batting average 19.20)
Many England openers have been disposed for returning better than Lees' average of barely 24 from 10 Tests. It was a horror batting at times during the series but there is a feeling that if England want to remain gung-ho at the top of the order, they can do better than a left-hander who strikes at 43 in Tests. A change in results will surely lead to his omission, but he goes to Pakistan in possession. D-
Zak Crawley (3 matches, 134 runs, batting average 33.50)
Has not yet fully convinced #CricketTwitter but the Kent batter did at least sign off with an accomplished batting display, albeit when the pressure was largely off. Prior to that unbeaten 69*, he hit 9, 13 and 5 around a curious knock of 38 at Old Trafford when he went into survival mode. Only South Africa's wastefulness in the field ensures his best innings weren't ended earlier. On thin ice, but continues to have the backing of the leadership group. D+
Ollie Pope (3 matches, 179 runs, batting average 44.75)
Having not been wholly convincing against India, the Surrey batter has secured his place in the much-debated No.3 position, finishing the series as England's leading run-scorer. His 73 at Lord's wasn't his most fluent innings, but the 67 back on familiar turf at the Kia Oval (where he averages 88.12 in first-class cricket) was a magic knock in the context of the match. Should enjoy the conditions in Pakistan having had a decent tour of India last year. B-
Joe Root (3 matches, 46 runs, batting average 11.50, 0 wickets, bowling average N/A)
Scored nearly as many runs during the series as he managed in his single innings for Trent Rockets in the men's Hundred. Unfortunate dismissal in the first Test but regularly found the slips and was twice out to Marco Jansen. But he's earned a series off. D
Zak Crawley is clinging onto his England place (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Jonny Bairstow (2 matches, 67 runs, batting average 22.33)
Dismissed three times by Anrich Nortje is no disgrace, particularly after he excelled during the early part of the summer. Missed out on the decider with a leg injury that will keep him from going to Pakistan. D
Harry Brook (1 match, 12 runs, batting average 12)
Having waited all summer for his chance, he must have feared it would be taken away after the day one washout and a cancelled day two. Brook can take something from the manner of his dismissal after he was caught at backward square by Kagiso Rabada. Bairstow's absence this winter should ensure his next chance is more sustained. E
Ben Stokes (3 matches, 149 runs, batting average 37.25, 10 wickets, bowling average 15.70)
England's player of the series and inspiring captain. Century at Old Trafford was majestic but it was his regular wickets with the ball that defined his series. Even with Anderson and Broad to call on, he is often the go-to bowler fit or otherwise. He is steadfastly committed to the new philosophy, which seems to suit him and the team. B+
Ben Foakes (3 matches, 133 runs, batting average 44.33, 14 catches)
Found some much-needed form with the bat after a wretched run in red-ball cricket. There were some forgettable dismissals either side of his 113 not out and even the odd error with the gloves, perhaps highlighting that despite his popularity he isn't yet a rock-solid pick in the XI. C
Stuart Broad was often first change but no less threatening (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Stuart Broad (3 matches, 77 runs, batting average 19.25, 14 wickets, bowling average 15.57)
A series during which he went to 100 Lord's wickets and past Glenn McGrath on the all-time list. Broad was England's leading wicket-taker and a constant threat when he got his length right. Even when he was overlooked for the new ball, as we've come to expect, he came back harder and better seemingly with a point to prove. Remains as entertaining with the bat as ever. B
Ollie Robinson (2 matches, 20 runs, batting average 10, 12 wickets, bowling average 15)
Made a welcome return at Old Trafford and a notable difference as England turned the series around. Fitter than ever, able to sustain his pace and accuracy into his second and third spells, the Sussex seamer has shown great character since the start of his Test career. First-innings figures of 5 for 49 at the Kia Oval played a major role in securing the series. A-
Jack Leach (3 matches, 26 runs, batting average 8.66, 2 wickets, bowling average 44.40)
A trio of three-day finishes meant there wasn't much time, or need, for the left-armer who only took a single wicket at Lord's and in Manchester. Was more often than not very accurate, recording 18 maidens in 45 complete overs and going at an economy rate of 1.96. Will obviously come to the fore during the winter. C-
James Anderson (3 matches, 1 run, batting average 0.50, 10 wickets, bowling average 16.60)
Forty years young and still not letting England down. Perhaps surprisingly, his best display came at Old Trafford where he doesn't have the best of records. He took three wickets in both South Africa innings with some brilliant new ball bowling - punctuated by the dismissals of Dean Elgar as England romped to an innings victory. B-
The evergreen James Anderson (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Matthew Potts (1 match, 7 runs, batting average 7, 2 wickets, bowling average 39.50)
His run of five Tests in a row ended after the Lord's defeat when he looked low on intensity and threat and was expensive along the way. Returning to form in the LV= Insurance County Championship suggests he is ready to go again in Pakistan when places will be up for grabs. D
Dean Elgar (3 matches, 107 runs, batting average 21.40)
Arrived questioning whether England could succeed in implementing their ambitious style of play, and returns home battered and beaten. Elgar was rarely at his belligerent best on a tour dominated by the bowlers. His grip on the series never recovered from the moment he inserted South Africa in Manchester and dropped Jansen for a second spinner. D+
Sarel Erwee (3 matches, 127 runs, batting average 25.40)
Started the series with a determined 73 at Lord's but thereafter was unable to tame the moving ball and his duck at the Kia Oval was an ill-fitting way to sign off. Alongside Elgar, you wonder if South Africa need something a bit different. D+
Keegan Petersen (3 matches, 122 runs, batting average 24.40)
A busy, flashy stroke maker who was incredibly frustrating - making five starts and then failing to go on. That said, there was little he could do about Stokes' bouncer in the second Test or his dismissal at the hands of Robinson on the third morning of the decider. D-
Keegan Petersen was lively but couldn't back that up with consistent runs (IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Aiden Markram (2 matches, 36 runs, batting average 12)
A wretched summer full of preventable dismissals. The worst of the three came in the first innings at Old Trafford, where something more calculated than a pull shot with his side three down in the first session, was required. Was disposed of for the series decider and doesn't have a Test innings of note since his century against Pakistan in Rawalpindi last year. E
Rassie van der Dussen (2 matches, 76 runs, batting average 25.33)
A batter who always tends to look the part for however long his innings last, yet he needs more stickability at this level where he is yet to reach three figures. His best innings came while carrying a series-ending finger injury, a resolute 41 ended when he edged to Foakes. C-
Ryan Rickelton (1 match, 19 runs, batting average 9.50)
Arrived with some good form (539 runs at 77 in four Championship games for Northamptonshire) but by the time he'd been called upon at the Kia Oval he'd gone six weeks without a competitive innings. No disgrace is twice being dismissed by Broad. D-
Khaya Zondo (1 match, 39 runs, batting average 19.50)
Another who was thrust into a high-pressure, one-off situation with weeks having passed without a competitive innings. Hung around in the first innings but was done by some late movement on day four as South Africa wilted. Just his second Test at 32 but he should be back. D
Khaya Zondo has to wait until the third Test for his opportunity (Alex Davidson/Getty Images for Surrey CCC)
Kyle Verreynne (3 matches, 61 runs, batting average 15.25, eight catches, one stumping)
A nothing series with the bat, going for shots with the tail and very little coming off. Solid, but not much more, behind the stumps with the gloves. E
Wiaan Mulder (1 match, 17 runs, batting average 8.50, 0 wickets, bowling average N/A)
The Proteas hoped Mulder's Royal London Cup form would stand him in good stead but as it turned out he was ill-equipped for the task at hand. Out to an abject shot in the first innings and after a stern innings as South Africa built a lead, his dismissal opened the door for an England victory. E+
Marco Jansen (3 matches, 82 runs, batting average 27.33, 9 wickets, bowling average 13.11)
He finished top of the averages list for both batting and bowling, yet only played two Tests. The sliding doors moment in this series came when the left-armer was left out at Old Trafford, having impressed at Lord's. He is expensive but has a handy habit of breaking partnerships with eye-catching deliveries. Effective with the bat and has plenty of time to develop into a much-prized allrounder. B
Simon Harmer (1 match, 18 runs, batting average 9, 1 wicket, bowling average 73)
Cannot be blamed for his selection at Old Trafford, where he collected the single wicket of Broad. Hard to see where his next opportunity comes before South Africa go to Bangladesh in 2024. D-
Rabada and Nortje combined for 24 wickets in three Tests (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Keshav Maharaj (3 matches, 79 runs, batting average 15.80, 4 wickets, bowling average 28.25)
Outperformed his opposite number Leach with a pair of wickets at Lord's and Old Trafford in the only two innings he was thrown the ball. His 41 in the first Test, putting on 72 with Rabada, was probably his most important contribution of the series, turning a modest South Africa lead into a substantial one. C
Lungi Ngidi (2 matches, 4 runs, batting average 2, 2 wickets, bowling average 44)
An accurate new ball bowler who while keeping things tight was firmly upstaged by Rabada and Nortje. Only picked up two wickets in 30 overs but via two superb deliveries - one that caught Root's edge and another that had Lees fending. A good foil for the rest of the first-choice pace attack that was only fielded once in the series. C+
Kagiso Rabada (3 matches, 48 runs, batting average 12, 14 wickets, bowling average 23.35)
World-class at times during the opening two Tests, particularly at Lord's where he took 7 for 79. Was wayward in taking five wickets at the Kia Oval, continually overstepping, but he was the constant scourge of England's top-order. Almost half of his 14 wickets came in dismissing top five batters. A-
Anrich Nortje (3 matches, 45 runs, batting average 15, 10 wickets, bowling average 24.80)
Rampant at Lord's and decent in Manchester, it was only at the Kia Oval where Nortje struggled. Regularly bowling at 90mph, he was very much an insight into what England could have had if some greater care and attention was shown to their own quicks. Runs in that first Test were important towards going 1-0 up. B+
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