England vs South Africa SERIES RATINGS

Here are my ratings for the series, you know the drill comment or make your own

ENGLAND:

Strauss: 5
Cook: 6
Trott: 6
KP: 9 (before you know what)
Bell: 6
Taylor:4
Bairstow:7
Prior:7
Bresnan:5
Swann:6
Broad: 5
Anderson:7
Finn:6

SOUTH AFRICA:

Peterson:8
Smith:6
Amla: 10
Kallis: 8
AB: 7
Rudolph:6
Duminy: 7
Philander: 8
Steyn: 6
Morkel:6
Tahir:5

I am sorry but I can't agree with your ratings.

Peterson higher than Smith. AB higher than Smith. Doesn't make sense. Rudolph also did better than AB. AB is good, but he didn't do that much and Prior was the better wicket keeper between them. You could really see we missed Boucher. AB had some shockers. Also Steyn took the most wickets by far. He and Philander should have the best scores I think.

Only Finn got close to the averages of the South African strike bowlers yet you scored him lower than Anderson. Doesn't make sense to me. The English top order also didn't really perform as well as they should have. Leaving KP out might have cost them this one, if we look in hindsight.

Strauss: 4 - in fairness he made starts in 4 innings out of 6, but didn't pass 50 once, which is a very poor return for a main batsman. His captaincy was ok, but guilty of letting the game drift at crucial times.

Cook: 6 - started with a bang, finished with a wimper.

Trott: 7 - scored a couple of 50s and another couple of 30s. Will be disappointed not to have converted one of those into a big one - had he done so the result could have been different. Loses points for a combination of ground fielding which was poor, and the run-out of Taylor.

Pietersen: 1 - I'm vindictive, so sue me. More seriously I'd give him an 8 if I was judging purely on cricketing contribution. However his contribution off the field was a disgrace.

Bell: 5.5 - Bell struggled to show his usual fluency but did manage 2 half-centuries. On the whole I expect he'll be disappointed.

Taylor: 5 - I cut him some slack as it was his debut series. I think he looks technically capable clearly. I do question his mentality a bit, he doesn't have the assurance of Bairstow say (he reminds me a bit of an early Ian Bell).

Bairstow: 8 - only one test but batted with great composure in the first innings, and genuine quality in the 2nd, where he showed he can score all around the wicket with genuine shots.

Bopara: 3 - only one test but didn't do himself any favours. Looked the least assured of the 3 middle over players tried.

Prior: 9 - England's best player by a street. Scored quality runs in all the test matches and kept very well indeed (that tough chance off Amla not withstanding).

Swann: 4 - below par in the first test, stupidly dropped and then somewhat unlucky. Amla had the wood on him though. Gains marks for his batting, which looked at one point as if it would yield the most improbable result.

Broad: 5 - more for the way he bowled than for his figures. One great spell, but seems to have lost a lot of his nip.

Anderson: 6 - bowled well without luck in the main, batted with guts. That drop was very costly though.

Finn: 7 - England's best bowler at Lords, bowled a couple of world class spells, which we all knew he was capable of.

Bresnan: 3 - never really threatened and England would have hoped for more runs down the order.

South Africa:

Peterson: 7 - only one innings of any note but what an innings.

Smith: 8 - got South Africa going with that century, then two solid contributions at Headingley. Led the side very well, rotated his bowlers perfectly throughout.

Amla: 10 - tough to see what else he could have done.

Kallis: 7 - in all honesty from such a good player he'll be disappointed with his efforts with the bat - that knock in the first test was more driving England into the ground, in the context it was the least important of the centuries made. What he did do was fill the slot of 4th seamer to perfection, taking crucial wickets and keeping the runs down.

De Villiers: 6 - disappointing with the bat, no half-centuries, although he did get starts every time. Kept well, more through terrific natural ability than great technique. I think in the long run he's better off just as a batsman.

Rudolph: 5.5 - a half-century, a couple of starts, a decent series but ultimately will be disappointed as outperformed by Duminy, and may lose his place as a result.

Duminy: 7 - encouraging. Made 3 useful and crucial contributions with the bat, and very good in the field. Added depth at number 7, and has probably done enough to keep his place, even if South Africa pick a specialist keeper.

Philander: 8 - surprised a few by somewhat underperforming early on with the ball, but came into his own in the final test with a matchwinning performance.

Steyn: 7 - he started it all with that brilliant spell on the 2nd morning of the first test, and then the 5-for in the second innings. Not always at his best, but always a handful.

Morkel: 6.5 - bowled really well in patches, and had the odd duff spell. Overall a decent series.

Tahir: 4 - he gets wickets, but is he actually any good? I'm not so sure anymore. Oh, and his batting is hopeless.

Mike Selig wrote:Strauss: 4 - in fairness he made starts in 4 innings out of 6, but didn't pass 50 once, which is a very poor return for a main batsman. His captaincy was ok, but guilty of letting the game drift at crucial times.

Cook: 6 - started with a bang, finished with a wimper.

Trott: 7 - scored a couple of 50s and another couple of 30s. Will be disappointed not to have converted one of those into a big one - had he done so the result could have been different. Loses points for a combination of ground fielding which was poor, and the run-out of Taylor.

Pietersen: 1 - I'm vindictive, so sue me. More seriously I'd give him an 8 if I was judging purely on cricketing contribution. However his contribution off the field was a disgrace.

Bell: 5.5 - Bell struggled to show his usual fluency but did manage 2 half-centuries. On the whole I expect he'll be disappointed.

Taylor: 5 - I cut him some slack as it was his debut series. I think he looks technically capable clearly. I do question his mentality a bit, he doesn't have the assurance of Bairstow say (he reminds me a bit of an early Ian Bell).

Bairstow: 8 - only one test but batted with great composure in the first innings, and genuine quality in the 2nd, where he showed he can score all around the wicket with genuine shots.

Bopara: 3 - only one test but didn't do himself any favours. Looked the least assured of the 3 middle over players tried.

Prior: 9 - England's best player by a street. Scored quality runs in all the test matches and kept very well indeed (that tough chance off Amla not withstanding).

Swann: 4 - below par in the first test, stupidly dropped and then somewhat unlucky. Amla had the wood on him though. Gains marks for his batting, which looked at one point as if it would yield the most improbable result.

Broad: 5 - more for the way he bowled than for his figures. One great spell, but seems to have lost a lot of his nip.

Anderson: 6 - bowled well without luck in the main, batted with guts. That drop was very costly though.

Finn: 7 - England's best bowler at Lords, bowled a couple of world class spells, which we all knew he was capable of.

Bresnan: 3 - never really threatened and England would have hoped for more runs down the order.

South Africa:

Peterson: 7 - only one innings of any note but what an innings.

Smith: 8 - got South Africa going with that century, then two solid contributions at Headingley. Led the side very well, rotated his bowlers perfectly throughout.

Amla: 10 - tough to see what else he could have done.

Kallis: 7 - in all honesty from such a good player he'll be disappointed with his efforts with the bat - that knock in the first test was more driving England into the ground, in the context it was the least important of the centuries made. What he did do was fill the slot of 4th seamer to perfection, taking crucial wickets and keeping the runs down.

De Villiers: 6 - disappointing with the bat, no half-centuries, although he did get starts every time. Kept well, more through terrific natural ability than great technique. I think in the long run he's better off just as a batsman.

Rudolph: 5.5 - a half-century, a couple of starts, a decent series but ultimately will be disappointed as outperformed by Duminy, and may lose his place as a result.

Duminy: 7 - encouraging. Made 3 useful and crucial contributions with the bat, and very good in the field. Added depth at number 7, and has probably done enough to keep his place, even if South Africa pick a specialist keeper.

Philander: 8 - surprised a few by somewhat underperforming early on with the ball, but came into his own in the final test with a matchwinning performance.

Steyn: 7 - he started it all with that brilliant spell on the 2nd morning of the first test, and then the 5-for in the second innings. Not always at his best, but always a handful.

Morkel: 6.5 - bowled really well in patches, and had the odd duff spell. Overall a decent series.

Tahir: 4 - he gets wickets, but is he actually any good? I'm not so sure anymore. Oh, and his batting is hopeless.

Wouldn't give Trott more than Cook or Bell frankly.

England's meeting with South Africa was billed as a contest that was impossible to predict. The top two sides in the world went head-to-head in a hard fought series but in the end there was one clear winner - South Africa.

At the start of the series I posted my man-for-man assessment of the key battles that would decide the contest - http://thepavilioncricket.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/south-africa-v-england-man-for-man.html. Many were extremely difficult to call at the time, but now it is quite clear, and over the course of the series, it was emphatically South Africa that won the head-to-heads.

ENGLAND

Andrew Strauss 4/10 - Captained efficiently, if just occasionally too defensively. Contributed little in the way of runs, and in particular was often out between 20 and 40. A scrambled brain seemed to effect some of his batting, and who can blame him given how long South Africa kept him out in the field and the off-the-field drama surrounding a certain key member of the team. Morne Morkel in particular seems to have his number.

Alastair Cook 6/10 - Started the series with a superb century, but would have wanted more from Headingley and Lord's. His innings at The Oval was a typical Cook knock - unflustered and unwilting. But after not going on the next morning things only went downhill. Vernon Philander is a tricky bowler for him to deal with early in his innings.

Jonathan Trott 6/10 - Good contributions with his first and last efforts, but no hundred, and nothing of note through the middle. Uncharacteristically flirted at a few too many outside off stump, and at times forgot about his strengths.

Kevin Pietersen 8/10 - Failed to capitalise on two starts in the 1st Test, but showed everybody how good a player he is at Headingley. His knock not only ensured that the series was still live this week, but was also the most exciting innings played by a player on either side. Here is not the place to discuss what has happened since.

Ian Bell 56/10 - Far from his finest series, and capped off what has been a disappointing year for him in England whites. Only two decent contributions - a fighting knock in the 1st Test which proved in vain, and his first innings partnership with Bairstow on Friday. Why he doesn't field short-leg any more, where I'd rate him as the best in the world, is a mystery to me.

Ravi Bopara 5/10 - Once again a case of missed opportunities. His one Test wasn't a total disaster, and he remains deserving of an extended run.

Matt Prior 7/10 - That he was the second leading runscorer was a surprise to me, but indicates how important a cog he is in this England side. However, he tended to give his wicket away at critical times a little too often in this campaign. Flawless once again behind the stumps until rare drop this week.

Tim Bresnan 3/10 - Tried his hardest but didn't get the same movement, pace or wickets that he did when in his best form a year ago. Rightly dropped for Lord's.

Stuart Broad 5/10 - The worst of the England seamers at The Oval, but did improve as the series went on. Also made some handy contributions with the bat. Concerning that his pace was well down, reducing the effectiveness of the full length he used so brilliantly a year ago. Will surely re-find that nip soon.

Graeme Swann 4/10 - The fact that he isn't quite as incisive as he was a couple of years ago is becoming less of a statistical oddity and more of a worry. Leaving him out at Headingley was a mistake, but 4 wickets from two matches on somewhat helpful pitches is not good enough from somebody that some still bizarrely tout as the best spinner in the world. At least his batting has picked up.

James Anderson 5/10 - Never quite found his best form either. Graeme Smith emphatically won his battle with Jimmy, and less wickets fell with the new ball than in recent series. Would be wrong to say he bowled badly though. Uncharacteristically poor effort in the field too, typified by the drop of de Villiers yesterday.

James Taylor 5/10 - Would not have expected to get a chance this summer, and didn't exactly grab it with both hands when it came. Rightly praised for supporting innings at Headingley, but otherwise hasn't grabbed his chance. Has fallen back behind Jonny Bairstow in the pecking order for now, but is undoubtedly highly talented.

Steven Finn 6/10 - Did nothing to justify his billing at Headingley, but was the best of the England pacemen in the 3rd Test. Bowled fantastic spells on both Day 1 and Day 4, and quickly learned not to run into the stumps at the bowlers end. Can expect to remain first choice in India.

Jonny Bairstow 8/10 - Took his chance well this week, with fifties in both innings. Failure to convert either to a place on the honours board will disappoint him, but he must now be a shoo-in to tour India, and stands a chance of a place in the XI. Demonstrated that problems against the short ball were grossly exaggerated.

SOUTH AFRICA

Graeme Smith 8/10 - Showed a more inventive side to his captaincy than he has in the past, and stepped up with runs at The Oval. Remains a thorn in England side, and is set to remain so for years to come. Predictions that this series would be his last as captain were wide of the mark.

Alviro Petersen 8/10 - Underrated by some in England, he showed us his definite abilities in Leeds. Not the flashiest of players, but doesn't give his wicket away and can score quickly if necessary. Caught well in the field.

Hashim Amla 9/10 - What can you say? An almost flawless performance, and only misses out on a 10 because of his double failure in the 2nd Test. You could easily argue that he is the leading batsman in the world right now. Also one of the calmest people I have ever seen.

Jacques Kallis 8/10 - Talk of him being poor in England was nonsense. As was the suggestion that he is no longer a genuine all-rounder. Scored his share of runs and chipped in with crucial wickets. Despite one dropped catch his slip fielding remains solid.

AB de Villiers 6/10 - Not the best series with the bat for the man rightly regarded as the most versatile batsman in world cricket. However, he took to the challenge of wicket-keeping with ease, and was far from a liability.

Jacques Rudolph 6/10 - No big contribution, but in truth he was rarely needed at six.

Jean-Paul Duminy 8/10 - Two years ago Duminy had all sorts of issues - against the short ball, against off-spin, and in particular against Swann. But he appears to have sorted all of them, to the point where he played Swann with ease yesterday afternoon. Also dynamite in the field.

Vernon Philander 8/10 - Predictably couldn't maintain his stunning Test figures, but showed everybody how he earned them with his stunning spell last night and this morning. Doesn't give an inch with the new ball and is also quicker than some give him credit for. Batting contributions were overdue but crucial.

Dale Steyn 8/10 - The big man was the leading wicket taker but in some senses went under the radar in this series. After the first day he was nevertheless always a threat and ensured that England could never relax when the new ball bowlers came off.

Morne Morkel 8/10 - Another who largely silenced the doubters. Still bowls wayward balls, but also has the measure of a number of England's top order. Pace and bounce are a lethal combination.

Imran Tahir 5/10 - Not effective enough against top order batsmen, and will have disappointed South Africa with his Test efforts thus far. Nevertheless took some important wickets.

Thanks for merging Biltong

Topics merged.

Shelsey93 wrote:England's meeting with South Africa was billed as a contest that was impossible to predict. The top two sides in the world went head-to-head in a hard fought series but in the end there was one clear winner - South Africa.

At the start of the series I posted my man-for-man assessment of the key battles that would decide the contest - http://thepavilioncricket.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/south-africa-v-england-man-for-man.html. Many were extremely difficult to call at the time, but now it is quite clear, and over the course of the series, it was emphatically South Africa that won the head-to-heads.

ENGLAND

Andrew Strauss 4/10 - Captained efficiently, if just occasionally too defensively. Contributed little in the way of runs, and in particular was often out between 20 and 40. A scrambled brain seemed to effect some of his batting, and who can blame him given how long South Africa kept him out in the field and the off-the-field drama surrounding a certain key member of the team. Morne Morkel in particular seems to have his number.

Alastair Cook 6/10 - Started the series with a superb century, but would have wanted more from Headingley and Lord's. His innings at The Oval was a typical Cook knock - unflustered and unwilting. But after not going on the next morning things only went downhill. Vernon Philander is a tricky bowler for him to deal with early in his innings.

Jonathan Trott 6/10 - Good contributions with his first and last efforts, but no hundred, and nothing of note through the middle. Uncharacteristically flirted at a few too many outside off stump, and at times forgot about his strengths.

Kevin Pietersen 8/10 - Failed to capitalise on two starts in the 1st Test, but showed everybody how good a player he is at Headingley. His knock not only ensured that the series was still live this week, but was also the most exciting innings played by a player on either side. Here is not the place to discuss what has happened since.

Ian Bell 5/10 - Far from his finest series, and capped off what has been a disappointing year for him in England whites. Only decent contribution was his first innings partnership with Bairstow on Friday. Why he doesn't field short-leg any more, where I'd rate him as the best in the world, is a mystery to me.

Ravi Bopara 5/10 - Once again a case of missed opportunities. His one Test wasn't a total disaster, and he remains deserving of an extended run.

Matt Prior 7/10 - That he was the second leading runscorer was a surprise to me, but indicates how important a cog he is in this England side. However, he tended to give his wicket away at critical times a little too often in this campaign. Flawless once again behind the stumps until rare drop this week.

Tim Bresnan 3/10 - Tried his hardest but didn't get the same movement, pace or wickets that he did when in his best form a year ago. Rightly dropped for Lord's.

Stuart Broad 5/10 - The worst of the England seamers at The Oval, but did improve as the series went on. Also made some handy contributions with the bat. Concerning that his pace was well down, reducing the effectiveness of the full length he used so brilliantly a year ago. Will surely re-find that nip soon.

Graeme Swann 4/10 - The fact that he isn't quite as incisive as he was a couple of years ago is becoming less of a statistical oddity and more of a worry. Leaving him out at Headingley was a mistake, but 4 wickets from two matches on somewhat helpful pitches is not good enough from somebody that some still bizarrely tout as the best spinner in the world. At least his batting has picked up.

James Anderson 5/10 - Never quite found his best form either. Graeme Smith emphatically won his battle with Jimmy, and less wickets fell with the new ball than in recent series. Would be wrong to say he bowled badly though. Uncharacteristically poor effort in the field too, typified by the drop of de Villiers yesterday.

James Taylor 5/10 - Would not have expected to get a chance this summer, and didn't exactly grab it with both hands when it came. Rightly praised for supporting innings at Headingley, but otherwise hasn't grabbed his chance. Has fallen back behind Jonny Bairstow in the pecking order for now, but is undoubtedly highly talented.

Steven Finn 6/10 - Did nothing to justify his billing at Headingley, but was the best of the England pacemen in the 3rd Test. Bowled fantastic spells on both Day 1 and Day 4, and quickly learned not to run into the stumps at the bowlers end. Can expect to remain first choice in India.

Jonny Bairstow 8/10 - Took his chance well this week, with fifties in both innings. Failure to convert either to a place on the honours board will disappoint him, but he must now be a shoo-in to tour India, and stands a chance of a place in the XI. Demonstrated that problems against the short ball were grossly exaggerated.

SOUTH AFRICA

Graeme Smith 8/10 - Showed a more inventive side to his captaincy than he has in the past, and stepped up with runs at The Oval. Remains a thorn in England side, and is set to remain so for years to come. Predictions that this series would be his last as captain were wide of the mark.

Alviro Petersen 8/10 - Underrated by some in England, he showed us his definite abilities in Leeds. Not the flashiest of players, but doesn't give his wicket away and can score quickly if necessary. Caught well in the field.

Hashim Amla 9/10 - What can you say? An almost flawless performance, and only misses out on a 10 because of his double failure in the 2nd Test. You could easily argue that he is the leading batsman in the world right now. Also one of the calmest people I have ever seen.

Jacques Kallis 8/10 - Talk of him being poor in England was nonsense. As was the suggestion that he is no longer a genuine all-rounder. Scored his share of runs and chipped in with crucial wickets. Despite one dropped catch his slip fielding remains solid.

AB de Villiers 6/10 - Not the best series with the bat for the man rightly regarded as the most versatile batsman in world cricket. However, he took to the challenge of wicket-keeping with ease, and was far from a liability.

Jacques Rudolph 6/10 - No big contribution, but in truth he was rarely needed at six.

Jean-Paul Duminy 8/10 - Two years ago Duminy had all sorts of issues - against the short ball, against off-spin, and in particular against Swann. But he appears to have sorted all of them, to the point where he played Swann with ease yesterday afternoon. Also dynamite in the field.

Vernon Philander 8/10 - Predictably couldn't maintain his stunning Test figures, but showed everybody how he earned them with his stunning spell last night and this morning. Doesn't give an inch with the new ball and is also quicker than some give him credit for. Batting contributions were overdue but crucial.

Dale Steyn 8/10 - The big man was the leading wicket taker but in some senses went under the radar in this series. After the first day he was nevertheless always a threat and ensured that England could never relax when the new ball bowlers came off.

Morne Morkel 8/10 - Another who largely silenced the doubters. Still bowls wayward balls, but also has the measure of a number of England's top order. Pace and bounce are a lethal combination.

He also batted for nearly 5 hours in the 2nd innings of the 1st test.

amanuensis wrote:He also batted for nearly 5 yours in the 2nd innings of the 1st test.

Forgot about that knock. Shall bump him up to a 6.

Underrating Prior there for me, to suggest Duminy had a better series is a bit off.

Morkel and Peterson at 8 is a bit high also. The rest I pretty much agree with.

You've forgotten Tahir

Agree with most of your ratings Shelsey. But you haven't rated Tahir!. I would give Tahir a 5, not spectacular, but bowled well when the conditions helped him. outbowled Swanny.
I would have Steven Finn up a point and Ravi Bopara down by 1 at least. 22 runs from Bopara in the test isn't just good enough, and he's not a Bairstow/Taylor range, as he had a lot of international experience, including game time and squad time at test level. Petersen for me is a 7, as among the 2 SA openers, I feel its been Smith who has shown greater consistency although Petersen's one big contribution was a fine one indeed. Also is Jacques Rudolph rated a touch high at 6?

Agree with Mike's ratings.

And Shelsey, surely Bairstow has to play over Bopara now?

Just read your head to head Shelly. How do you think it panned out if you do it again in hindsight.

I think many in England under estimated Alviro, even in South Africa the people that don't watch the domestic games do. But he is good and I think he has a average of above 50 for this year most of the games played in SA. And remember SA has the most difficult batting conditions/seaming friendly conditions in the world. I think most of our batsmens averages are higher out of SA than in SA. So Alviro has been doing his bit quite successfully. Still think Cook is the better choice, but not by the margin you thought.

Also I don't think I will choose anyone above Kallis. Since there are so many anchors in our team now, he really plays with a lot more freedom and authority.

FerN wrote:Just read your head to head Shelly. How do you think it panned out if you do it again in hindsight.

I think many in England under estimated Alviro, even in South Africa the people that don't watch the domestic games do. But he is good and I think he has a average of above 50 for this year most of the games played in SA. And remember SA has the most difficult batting conditions/seaming friendly conditions in the world. I think most of our batsmens averages are higher out of SA than in SA. So Alviro has been doing his bit quite successfully. Still think Cook is the better choice, but not by the margin you thought.

Also I don't think I will choose anyone above Kallis. Since there are so many anchors in our team now, he really plays with a lot more freedom and authority.

How would I assess it now? In general, not much would change. Some of the gaps would close, but otherwise not much, but in this series it is hard to say that anyone won their head-to-head apart from Prior in the keeping department.

And yes Shanky I'd be tempted to play Bairstow at 6 in the 1st Test in India. Bopara would be in the squad though, and who plays could be effected by one-day efforts and the warm-up games.