West Indies v England T20I player grades: Who finished top of the class?

NICK HOWSON assesses the performances of each player to feature in the five-match series in Barbados

WEST INDIES

Brandon King (5 matches, 122 runs, ave 30.50)

Perhaps telling that King's best performance came in his lowest-pressure innings, in the routine run-chase in the first T20I. One of only two ducks from a West Indies batter in the series. Lacked punch (strike rate 103.38) or substantial runs at the top of the innings. C-

Kyle Mayers (2 matches, 71 runs, ave 35.50)

The most impressive of the three openers tried across the series. A flamboyant hitter of the ball but was exposed against pace, getting out to Moeen and Rashid in both his innings trying to thrash the ball over the boundary. B-

Shai Hope (3 matches, 26 runs, ave 8.66)

Did well to last until the third T20I before finally losing his place. Six single-figure scores in his last nine knocks now for Hope, another batter who found it tough going against spin. Run-out in the second match summed up his series. D-

Darren Bravo (4 matches, 26 runs, ave 26)

It is hard to imagine that the West Indies' future is with Bravo near the top of the order. Scored at less than a run-a-ball and was twice overlooked to come in. The obvious anchor of the line-up but an average of 21.31 and no landmark scores in 26 matches is a substandard set of returns. D-

^{Nicholas Pooran goes big (Randy Brooks/AFP/Getty Images)}

Nicholas Pooran (5 matches, 164 runs, ave 41)

Five contributions punctuated by a destructive 70 from 43 balls alongside Powell in the third T20I. Shades of his undoubted talent in this format across those knocks and the obvious candidate at No.3 going forward. B+

Rovman Powell (3 matches, 147 runs, ave 73.50, 0 wickets, ave N/A)

Produced the innings of the series, becoming just the fifth West Indian to score a T20I century. It was a brutal assault on the England attack, with his improvement against spin particularly telling. A 17-ball 25 in the decider made a massive difference in the final calculation. A-

Kieron Pollard (5 matches, 69 runs, ave 69, 4 wickets, ave 28)

Has kept the wolf from the door in terms of his captaincy, guiding the team to a memorable series win. The most important individual contribution probably came in the third T20I when he dismissed the in-form Banton and then Moeen second ball. Remains a handy figure down the order, highlighted by his 41* in the 74-run stand with Powell in the fifth match. B+

Jason Holder (5 matches, 53 runs, ave 26.50, 15 wickets, ave 9.60)

The player of the series thanks to some masterful bowling performances. Set the tone with a wicket from the first over and never looked back. Produced a fine array of skills with the new ball and at the death, with a combination of good lengths, cutters and a bit of movement continually finding success. Only batting contribution was in vain, but otherwise faultless, becoming the fourth man to take four wickets in a row to win the series. A

Fabian Allen (4 matches, 12 runs, ave 6, 3 wickets, ave 25.66)

A rather underwhelming series for Allen, with much of the work with bat and ball done elsewhere. Typically brilliant in the field, taking a team-best five catches including off his own bowling to dismiss Banton. Incredible leaps over the boundary were a regular occurrence. A three-over return of 0 for 17 was handy in the fifth T20I, but he was uncharacteristically expensive at other times. C

Romario Shepherd (5 matches, 61 runs, ave 61, 6 wickets, ave 26.16)

Expensive, explosive and energetic. Five matches that may well sum up Shepherd when he comes to reflect on his career. Used as an out-and-out strike bowler by Pollard, asked to break the partnership and take key wickets. Getting Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone twice and ending stands worth 61 and 65 means he certainly filled that role nicely. Mashing 44 down the order in vain was a brief glimmer of his talent with the willow. B-

Odean Smith (3 matches, 7 runs, ave 7, 1 wicket, ave 45)

Made more headlines off the field, than on it, after being at the centre of reports regarding a rift between him and captain Pollard. He bowled five overs to two games but to his credit did take the crucial wicket of Banton in the fifth T20I with a 89mph delivery that hurried the England opener. D

Dominic Drakes (1 match, 0 wickets, ave N/A)

Played just one game, bowling two overs in what was just his fourth T20I. An economy rate of 13 doesn't look particularly great as he was dispatched to the boundary four times in a dozen balls by Roy and Vince. Will hopefully get another go against India. D

Akeal Hosein celebrates (Randy Brooks/AFP/Getty Images)

Akeal Hosein (5 matches, 44 runs, ave N/A, 8 wickets, ave 15)

On another day we're crowning Hosein as one of the players of the series and the key figure in the deciding fifth T20. Took the new ball and grabbed a wicket in each of his four overs. Struck in all five matches and proved he has improved his repertoire of deliveries, with a good arm ball. Lit up the second T20I with the bat after a 16-ball 44. A-

Sheldon Cottrell (5 matches, 4 wickets, ave 34)

Doesn't have the numbers to back up what was a tough role for Cottrell, taking the new ball in four of the five matches and finishing with an economy rate of 7.55. Perhaps didn't respond with a hatful of powerplay wickets - just two both in the first T20I - and there were often too many loose boundary balls. C

ENGLAND

Jason Roy (5 matches, 130 runs, ave 26)

England's most proficient batter across the series but he'll be wondering how he didn't go on and get a big score like several of his opponents. Given he'd had limited cricket before this series can certainly be happy with his returns. B-

Tom Banton (5 matches, 122 runs, ave 24.60)

The quickest scorer inside the top five which bought the team plenty of time down the order with some typically polished hitting. Wickets still feel too easily given away at this level and ultimately consistency is key if he's to have a long-term future in this team. Having expressed concerns over bubble life, hopefully, his best is just around the corner again. C+

Rovman Powell's century illuminated the series (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

James Vince (5 matches, 123 runs, ave 24.60)

Feels like Vince took a step back this winter after a lean BBL was followed by a frustrating series in the Caribbean. That said, he improved as it went on and grabbed his second England fifty in the format in the chase in the fifth T20. Lost the battle with Hosein and that played a major role in the eventual outcome. C+

Liam Livingstone (3 matches, 33 runs, ave 11, 4 wickets, ave 19.25)

Missed the first two T20Is through illness and struggled through the third. Understandably, he never looked comfortable at the crease. There was a positive story to be told with the ball, as few batters - who continued to foolishly play across the line - were able to pick him. C-

Eoin Morgan (2 matches, 30 runs, ave 15)

Only lasted two games before a minor thigh problem ruled him out of the final three matches. Now has one international fifty since August 2020. C

Moeen Ali (5 matches, 108 runs, ave 21.60, 5 wickets, ave 18.60)

Played major contributions in both of England's wins in the second and fourth T20s, scoring 31 and 63, and taking 3 for 24 and 2 for 28. That half-century that a majestic 28-ball onslaught including seven sixes. It was a bit of an all or nothing series, however, with two ducks and 0 for 41 from his remaining overs. B+

Harry Brook (1 match, 10 runs, ave 10)

Played only one game, coming in at No.7 with limited time to make an impression. After a troubled BBL will be eager to return to familiar climes. D-

Sam Billings (4 matches, 61 runs, ave 20.33)

Having moved heaven and earth to ensure he could make his Test debut in Hobart, it took time for Billings to grow into the series. Though he missed the chance to stump Brandon King, his best display came in the fifth T20I with a punchy 41 which gave England late hope. D+

Phil Salt (3 matches, 60 runs, ave 20)

Was thrust into a finisher rope which isn't often asked of the Sussex opener. Scored 57 of his 60 runs in the series in one innings, a vital knock on debut in the third T20I which kept England in touch until the final over. Early impressions in international cricket have been positive. C-

Liam Dawson (2 matches, 6 runs, ave 3, 0 wickets, ave N/A)

Thrown the ball for just five overs in his two England appearances for four years. Kept things neat and tidy but who knows when his next opportunity will come. C

Jason Roy was England's leading run-scorer (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Chris Jordan (4 matches, 62 runs, ave 20.66, 1 wicket, ave 136)

The reliable figure of England's T20 team for many years was found out on a pitch that lacked pace for the quicks. An average of 136 was his worst in international colour, while economy rate was only narrowly better than his returns in India last year. As ever, good for runs down the order. D

George Garton (1 match, 2 runs, ave 2, one wicket, ave 57)

Produced one of the balls of the series to dismiss King in his only appearance. Was dispatched for five sixes and a quartet of four in 24 balls as his long-awaited debut turned sour. A 19-run final over played a major role in the 20-run defeat in the third T20I. D

Adil Rashid (5 matches, 25 runs, ave 8.33, seven wickets, ave 16.42)

Was identified by the Windies as the chief threat of the England attack and was dealt with accordingly, though he was able to pick up seven wickets. His variations caused havoc and he was often fended away, as the hosts lay siege on the remainder of the attack. Became England's leading T20I wicket-taker - eclipsing Jordan - but it was a rare success with the ball for the tourists. B+

Saqib Mahmood (3 matches, 12 runs, ave 6, 0 wickets, ave N/A)

Unable to take his Sydney Thunder form into the England arena, failing to take a single wicket, going for 14 boundaries in nine overs and at an economy rate of 10.66. Seems to have obtained an extra yard of pace but looked a bit predictable at times. He'll be back. D

Chris Jordan (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Tymal Mills (3 matches, 1 run, ave N/A, 1 wicket, ave 102)

England's most skilful bowler only produced 15 dots from his 55 legal deliveries and went at more than 11 an over. Of the bowlers the Windies faced, they'll be most satisfied with how they dealt with Mills, who strangely was rarely deployed at the death which has been long heralded as his specialist role. D-

Reece Topley (4 matches, 2 runs, ave N/A, 3 wickets, ave 37.33)

Easily the pick of the England seamers with his left-arm seam offering that point of difference. Outstanding performance came in the second T20, trapping Kind lbw via the first ball and running out Hope with an inspired piece of work on the floor. A really good news story on a difficult tour for the bowling battery. B