The Cricketer runs the rule over the players on both sides after England beat West Indies to clinch a series-equalling victory at Emirates Old Trafford
Rory Burns (15): His dismissal to Roston Chase on the first morning feels like ages ago. Not required second time around. 4
Dom Sibley (120): Tremendous display of stoicism and resilience from the right-hander, whose second Test century was a long time in its making but fine reward for a terrific effort. Could do with another option against spin. 8.5
Zak Crawley (0 & 11): A lackadaisical first innings dismissal to his first ball as England’s No.3, followed by a selfless cameo as they chased quick runs late on day four. 4
Joe Root (23 & 22): Not quite at his fluent best in his first Test of the summer and arguably could have declared earlier on the final day. But led well in the field twice. 6
Ben Stokes (176 & 78*; 2-30): A world-class performance from a world-class cricketer. His slowest century followed by a remarkable assault that allowed England to drive home their advantage on the fifth afternoon. 9.5
Ollie Pope (7 & 12*): A quiet series continues for the Surrey youngster, who was unfortunate to be trapped by one that kept low in the first innings. A remarkable catch to end the game. 4
Jos Buttler (40 & 0): Runs in the first innings, none in the second – in a situation tailormade for him. He kept tidily, including a fine catch to remove Jermaine Blackwood, but nothing with the bat is coming easily at the moment for Buttler in red-ball cricket. 5
Chris Woakes (0; 3-42 & 2-34): Others will take the plaudits, but Woakes' skills with the ball were terrific here. A man who rarely lets England down. 8
Sam Curran (17; 2-70 & 1-30): The left-armer didn't find the extent of movement we have previously seen from him, but he took the key wicket of Shamarh Brooks on the final day as England's jitters were beginning to creep in. 6
Dom Bess (31*; 1-67 & 2-59): Didn't always offer England the control they were after as he at times struggled with his length. A first innings cameo and the breakthrough wicket of Jason Holder fine reward for his efforts. 5.5
Stuart Broad (11; 3-66 & 3-42): A performance that made a mockery of the decision to leave him out at the Ageas Bowl. His spell on the fourth evening turned the game to give England the opening they needed. 8.5
Shamarh Brooks made half centuries in both innings
John Campbell (12 & 4): Hard to see how the left-hander keeps his place for the decider. England have had his number since the Ageas Bowl. Great to watch on his day, but he has struggled here. 3
Kraigg Brathwaite (75 & 12): Fine batsman back to something like his dogged best. Stuart Broad earmarked him as the key wicket ahead of the fifth day. 7
Shai Hope (25 & 7): Talk of Headingley must now stop – for Hope’s own good as much as anything. He is out of nick and has been in Test cricket for some time. He’s averaging 19.82 through his last 19 Tests. 4
Shamarh Brooks (68 & 62): A seriously watchable player of some significant talent; his wristwork alone was worth more than 68 in his first innings. His 62 on the final day was a fine effort, but he will be disappointed not to have seen it through. 7.5
Roston Chase (51 & 6; 5-172): A fine all-round cricketer, Chase toiled away for his five wickets in the first innings, before working hard for a half century that helped West Indies to avoid the follow-on. Misjudged a Broad in-nipper on the final afternoon. 7
Jermaine Blackwood (0 & 55): Undone by one that kept low in the first innings, but typically defiant on the final day. 6
Shane Dowrich (0 & 0): A much-improved cricketer to the one who last toured here, but two identical dismissals suggest that England have worked out a plan against the wicketkeeper, who recorded a pair. 3
Jason Holder (2 & 35, 1-70, 0-33): The allrounder found the going tougher in Manchester; England played him better and he found less movement than in Southampton. A difficult game as captain, with neither Gabriel nor Joseph fully fit. Defiant with the bat for a while until he was undone by a good one from Bess. 5
Alzarri Joseph (32 & 9, 1-70 & 0-14): Was the pick of West Indies’ bowlers at some points but left the field in pain on the first day. He recovered from that to bat nicely as nightwatchman and bowl at full throttle on the final day. A cricketer of huge potential. 6
Kemar Roach (5 & 5, 2-58 & 2-37): A very skilful operator who has finally broken a bizarre wicketless streak that lasted 521 deliveries, 11 months and three series. Bowled beautifully. 7
Shannon Gabriel (0 & 0*, 0-79 & 0-43): Nowhere near his Ageas Bowl display and the gamble to pick him for back-to-back Tests did not pay off. Wayward in his first over and remained that way for the most part, despite his unwavering heart and commitment to the cause. 4
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Posted by Patrick Dennis on 21/07/2020 at 20:46
Yes good ratings. You certainly don't suffer grade inflation like the universities though. How do you score 10? Ben Stokes performed in this test better than any Englishman in any test I have seen and that includes Botham on 81 at Headingly. Yes 10 should only be awarded once in a blue moon but this is surely it.
Posted by Richard Vaughton on 21/07/2020 at 19:05
Ben Stokes (176 & 78*; 2-30): A world-class performance from a world-class cricketer. His slowest century followed by a remarkable assault that allowed England to drive home their advantage on the fifth afternoon. 9.5 WHY NOT 10 Chris Woakes (0; 3-42 & 2-34): Others will take the plaudits, but Woakes' skills with the ball were terrific here. A man who rarely lets England down. 8 Jos Buttler (40 & 0): Runs in the first innings, none in the second – in a situation tailormade for him. He kept tidily, including a fine catch to remove Jermaine Blackwood, but nothing with the bat is coming easily at the moment for Buttler in red-ball cricket. 5 A little discrepancy between words and numbers ....a Maths or English problem ... or a cricket reporter problem.
Posted by Richard Vaughton on 21/07/2020 at 18:57
Ben Stokes (176 & 78*; 2-30): A world-class performance from a world-class cricketer. His slowest century followed by a remarkable assault that allowed England to drive home their advantage on the fifth afternoon. 9 .5 Chris Woakes (0; 3-42 & 2-34): 8 Jos Buttler (40 & 0): Runs in the first innings, none in the second – in a situation tailormade for him. He kept tidily, including a fine catch to remove Jermaine Blackwood, but nothing with the bat is coming easily at the moment for Buttler in red-ball cricket. 5 Not a lot to say about this reporter's judgement, perhaps a Maths problem..... words and numbers not quite matching...reflection, one thinks.
Posted by Marc Evans on 21/07/2020 at 18:32
Windies look tired and with so little break between tests must be there for the taking. Poor old Gabriel looks shot whereas we've got fresh legs available in Anderson and Archer, instead of Woakes and Curran. Would be nice to give Foakes a game but I guess Buttler will play. Bess needs some work to invest him with more variety, at present he's not much more than a solid county player. If Stokes stays fit the mind boggles what he could end up achieving. Holder may be above him in the all rounder rankings but he's not in the same class for me. The Windies are certainly better than their 8th test ranking with a decent bowling attack and some useful batsmen, but without any world class talent since Lara.
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