- England put in an impressive performance as they defeated New Zealand
- Mail Sport’s Lawrence Booth rates how each England player performed
England recorded an impressive series win against New Zealand, which will provide plenty of encouragement going forward.
There were some excellent individual performances from England, but one star struggled.
Here, Mail Sport’s Lawrence Booth rates how each England player performed.
Mail Sport assesses how England’s stars performed in their Test win against New Zealand
Zak Crawley – 3/10
Tried to claw his way back to form, becoming only the second player, after Chris Gayle, to hit a six in the first over of a Test. But two more failures confirmed his mental block against New Zealand.
Zak Crawley had a tough time against New Zealand while struggling
Ben Duckett-7
Followed a first-innings duck with an able 92 – although it was just the latest example of his inability to convert fifties into hundreds.
Jacob Bethell – 7.5
He was strangled on the first morning, but on the second day he batted beautifully for 96 – his highest first-class score. England has unearthed another gem.
Joe Wortel – 7
Compensated for an unusually loose batting on the opening day with a 36th Test hundred that felt inevitable almost from the start. I got there with the most brutal reverse firsts.
Harry Brook-9
Played one of the big counter-attacks to turn 43 for four into a match-winning total. His second innings fifty was as simple as you like.
Harry Brook Played one of the big counter-attacks and became 43 for four
Ollie Pope – 8
For the second Test in a row he helped Brook save England from his new role at No. 6. Once again kept a low profile.
Ben Stokes – 7.5
Triggered New Zealand’s first innings collapse by bowling Latham, had fun with the bat before the declaration and then broke in with a cheap three-for.
Chris Woakes-7.5
Took three big wickets – Ravindra, Latham, Williamson – in one of his best performances abroad. He continues to plead to stay on the sidelines.
Gus Atkinson – 7.5
As if there was still room for improvement in his first year at the top level, he scored England’s first Test hat-trick in seven years. Expensive in the second innings, but removed Mitchell with a beauty.
Brydon Carse-9
Another great performance from one of the new fast bowling stars of the international game. His adaptation of Williamson on the first night was world class.
Brydon Carse produced another great effort as he made a big impact against New Zealand
Shoaib Bashir-6
There was nothing to do until he was asked to go upwind as New Zealand made a slog. Not easy, but I stuck to removing Phillips and Blundell.
New Zealand
Tom Latham 4, Devon Conway 1, Kane Williamson 5, Rachin Ravindra 2, Daryl Mitchell 5.5, Tom Blundell 8, Glenn Phillips 5, Nathan Smith 6, Matt Henry 6, Tim Southee 4, Will O’Rourke 6.5.