England
Ben Stokes: 192 runs at 48; five wickets at 34; two catches
The all-rounder made a notable return, his surgery and recovery allowing him to bowl long spells that energize both sides of the boundary. While he occasionally hesitated to bowl himself, his mind was a flurry of strategies as he strategized for the next wicket, his cricketing intelligence evident. Now firmly positioned at No 6 (except for moments of fun as a substitute opener), he usually steps in to either steady the ship or accelerate play, and with over a hundred Test caps, he can adeptly manage both tasks. However, he still has a tendency to get out in careless ways, a vulnerability that more formidable opponents will capitalize on. Grade B+
Zak Crawley: 97 runs at 24; four catches
We’ve established the routine here – the new ball under pressure, length hammered, and a rapid start anticipated. The challenge remains that this quick initiation could benefit either team, and this time, it predominantly favored the Windies. His score of 76 at Lord’s remains his standout performance. Grade C+
Ben Duckett: 178 at 45; two catches
The inclination is to say “see above” but in reversal; the square cut stands out as his signature shot rather than a cover drive. His highest score was also 76, but he supported that with another impressive 70-plus at Trent Bridge. These explosive starts contributed significantly to England achieving innings totals exceeding 400 for the first time in their history. Grade B
Ollie Pope: 239 runs at 60; four catches
It was an intriguing series for England’s vice-captain, whose runs masked the scrappy nature of many of his scores. Approaching his 50th Test, he seems to have subdued the frenetic energy from a few years back, entering a more measured style akin to Joe Root’s busy approach, though the fluency that defines his best performances remains elusive. Nevertheless, if he can score this volume while facing such criticism, he’s undoubtedly doing something right – perhaps it’s just challenging to see it. Grade B+
Joe Root: 291 runs at 73; no wicket at n/a; three catches
Perhaps he revisited his favorite George Michael hits and decided that the Joe Root of 2023 was probably due for a change. Naturally, every England supporter trusts in his capability to deliver as the nearly complete batter we’ve seen serve as a guiding figure for the team. We know he can engage with modern tactics and tackle bowlers effectively, but he doesn’t need to showcase that in every match. Nowhere was this more evident than at Edgbaston, where his 87 rescued the team from a dire situation and set the stage for the lower middle order to thrive. Grade A
Harry Brook: 197 runs at 49; six catches
His truly standout innings – a century in the second innings at Trent Bridge – was crucial for the victory, setting a challenging target and demoralizing the opposition with his scoring pace. While it wouldn’t be fair to say he was at his peak, with a strike rate nearing 85 per 100 balls, he made his time at the crease significantly impactful. He also excelled in the field with some excellent catches. Grade A-
Jamie Smith: 207 runs at 52; 14 catches
For those fortunate to witness his batting at the domestic level (and marvel at the unique crack of the ball meeting the bat), his performances should come as no surprise. His composed approach to the competitive atmosphere of Test cricket shows his readiness as he climbs the ranks. His wicket-keeping skills? Who could predict the natural movement, soft hands, and sharp anticipation from someone still in the early stages of his career? Although he has only played three Tests, the ongoing debate about who will keep wickets for England may have a long-term solution. Grade A+
Chris Woakes: 134 runs at 34; 11 wickets at 21; one catch
Someone needs to keep his passport safe. The only discussion that should arise about his inclusion for a match concerns geography – is it taking place at home? The cherished veteran dealt with personal loss in May and made a robust return to new-ball duties, skillfully moving the ball, creating challenging scenarios for batters unfamiliar with English conditions. He once again proved his worth in the lower order, demonstrating his batting prowess throughout his second decade of Test cricket. Grade A-
Gus Atkinson: 48 runs at 15; 22 wickets at 16; one catch
The Surrey quick had a fairytale debut series, consistently delivering challenging lines whether pitching it fuller or targeting the body with shorter deliveries. His commendable fitness allowed him to play three matches in three weeks, which isn’t typical in domestic cricket. He appears to possess the necessary skills to excel at this level, provided injuries don’t impede his progress. Grade A+
Mark Wood: 44 runs at seven; nine wickets at 20
The energetic speedster from Durham occasionally seemed to be in a speed duel rather than contesting against batters, with 97.1 mph clocked on the big screen at Trent Bridge thrilling the crowd. His statistics don’t tell the whole story of his influence throughout the series, as batters often sought refuge from his swift deliveries until that explosive Sunday in Birmingham, which evoked memories of Jeff Thomson. Grade A-
Shoaib Bashir: five runs at two; nine wickets at 27
The remarkably composed 20-year-old off-spinner remains unfazed whether his deliveries are defended or hit for boundaries. With his height and an action that generates overspin, he won’t hold an end but is likely to take wickets, especially against left-handers, as the ball drifts in and spins away. He will need runs to support his bowling and ideally bowl more in the second innings than the first, but he is sure to deliver entertainment for spectators. Grade B+
Jimmy Anderson: no runs at n/a; four wickets at 15
A nostalgic farewell at the Home of Cricket, perhaps? Certainly, but the veteran was not merely an observer as he energetically showcased his full range of bowling skills, executing his art with precision. Has he departed just in time? It seems so, as his last encounter with a struggling West Indies team at Lord’s may have been one of his least challenging tasks ahead. Grade A-
West Indies
Kraigg Brathwaite: 166 runs at 28; no wicket at n/a; two catches
The West Indies captain faced a nearly impossible challenge, with no chance for his inexperienced batting lineup to acclimatize to English conditions. He recognized his role in setting the pace but also understood that his dismissal would expose an underdeveloped middle order. Unsurprisingly, the pressure affected him, resulting in just one half-century. Defensively, he was perhaps overly cautious with his young bowlers and too reliant on an out-of-form Alzarri Joseph. Still, England’s batting has caused several headaches for teams in recent years. Grade C
Mikyle Louis: 162 runs at 27; one catch
The tall right-hander possesses the qualities needed to secure the role beside his captain, which has eluded the West Indies for years. He displays a solid temperament, a dependable defense, and a variety of strokes, including effortless lifts over the bowler’s head that comfortably clear the boundary. However, what he lacks, evidenced by multiple near-fifties without crossing the line, is the concentration that typically comes with experience. If he can develop that and resist the temptation to substitute classic techniques with white-ball innovations, a successful career is ahead. Grade B-
Kirk McKenzie: 33 runs at six; three catches
In this instance, the numbers tell the whole story. The Jamaican can hit stunning boundaries, but he possesses a limited defensive game, making him unsuitable for the No 3 position. Many young Test players have struggled at the outset yet found their footing later – he can only hope for a similar turnaround. Grade E
Alick Athanaze: 142 runs at 24; one catch
The Dominican showcased just why he holds a promising future with an elegant innings of 82, filled with perfectly timed shots that dazzled on the fast-rolling pitch at Trent Bridge. His 175-run partnership with Kavem Hodge briefly thrust the contest back in West Indies’ favor during a one-sided series. Unfortunately, he faltered twice at Lord’s, revealing a lack of experience that plagued much of his side’s play. He remains one to watch for the future. Grade B-
Kavem Hodge: 216 runs at 36; two wickets at 22; two catches
It remains a mystery why it took this accomplished Test batter so long to infiltrate a batting order in dire need of his expertise. With only two previous caps before the series, the composed right-hander performed like a seasoned player with extensive experience. The warm reception he received at Edgbaston after his dismissal for 55 recognized not only his batting skills but also his mental strength in a challenging situation. By far, he was the best player for the visitors during the series. Grade A-
Jason Holder: 155 runs at 26; three wickets at 78, seven catches
Returning to the five-day format, the team elder was required to bat at No 6 (one spot too high), bowl first change, and lend his captain some stability as the fiery quicks bowled aggressively. It was a challenging request, but the skipper who guided his team to England for bubble cricket in 2020 approached it with professionalism, though ultimately he was unable to cover his side’s numerous weaknesses. Grade C+
Joshua Da Silva: 159 runs at 32; six catches
By Edgbaston, the wicket-keeper seemed weary from the constant onslaught his side faced, even nearly getting himself out lbw during the second innings after taking significant stress. While not flashy behind the stumps, the 26-year-old appears to possess the necessary skillset to maintain his place, potentially acting as a stabilizing force in a batting unit that requires strengthening. Grade B-
Kevin Sinclair: five runs at three; three wickets at 50; one catch
Tasked with filling in when Gudakesh Motie fell ill during the match at Trent Bridge, he impressively took three wickets despite sustaining an injury. A resourceful cricketer, he will face easier challenges than contending with this England batting lineup. Grade C
Alzarri Joseph: 52 runs at nine; 10 wickets at 45; two catches
Although he bowled at impressive speeds and successfully executed bouncers, the vice-captain, with 34 Tests to his name, lacked the discipline necessary to exert pressure on batters, conceding just over a run per ball throughout the series. His batting at No 8 was frankly underwhelming. Grade D+
Gudakesh Motie: 61 runs at 61; three wickets at 34; one catch
The left-armer achieved three wickets in his two Tests, dismissing Root (twice) and Stokes, with two clean bowled and one lbw. With a bit more luck and faith from his captain, he may have claimed a few more, as his bowling appeared to trouble England more than others. He also showed skill and innovation while batting. Grade B
Jayden Seales: 25 runs at six; 13 wickets at 27
The promising young seamer illustrated the benefits of his stint with Sussex, emerging as the standout bowler for ushering in a new era of West Indian pace. He consistently ran in hard across all three matches, demonstrating his threat with both new and old balls. At only 22, he has already accrued 50 Test wickets, but he will need to manage his workload wisely to maximize that potential. Grade B+
Shamar Joseph: 64 runs at 11; four wickets at 65
The hero from Adelaide showcased raw potential and vibrant personality, yet substantial development is needed before he can transform into a bowler capable of delivering game-changing spells. There’s a wealth of talent present, but opportunities for growth might be scarce. Grade C
