England were triumphant winners of the Old Trafford Test, and captain Alastair Cook has completely turned his side’s fortunes around and made them winners again. Whether this is because England are playing better cricket than before, or because their opponents India have been so woeful, will only be known when better teams such as South Africa and Australia play England next. We rate the performances of all England players who have played this Test, and many receive the highest ratings.
Alastair Cook: 9/10
Didn’t do much as a batsman, but his captaincy was inspirational and even brilliant – something you don’t normally associate with Cook. He didn’t put a foot wrong in the whole match, everything he did -a fielding change or a bowling change – was simply perfect. Hopefully the win against India gives Cook the confidence he needs when he takes on tougher opponents.
Sam Robson: 1/10
One of the few poor performers in the England side in this Test. He must do better or his young Test career could be in trouble.
Gary Ballance: 6/10
England’s bright young star seems to be getting better with every match. This was one of the few Test matches he played where he didn’t get a big score, but even so, he made a decent enough score of 37.
Ian Bell: 8/10
Ian Bell is England’s best batsman and his batting is always a delight to watch. He did well here, making a well composed half-century before getting out to a beauty of a delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Joe Root: 9/10
Root loves batting against India so much that he has at least made a fifty in every Test match that he has played against India. He was great in this match as well, making a splendid 77.
Moeen Ali: 9/10
From being a batsman who bowls occasional off spin, Moeen has becoming a match wining bowler who bats a bit. His transformation in the Investec series has been extraordinary and because of his terrific performances with the ball, nobody misses Graeme Swann any more. England fans are already calling him Moeenlidharan, after the Sri Lankan great, Muralidharan.
Jos Buttler: 9/10
Buttler has been a sensational find for England as a batsman, but as a wicketkeeper, there are still many doubts about his ability. His 70 in this match was brilliantly composed, and made with patience, something we don’t associate with Buttler.
Chris Woakes: 7/10
Woakes tried hard to impress and was okay, without being really great. He did start India’s downfall in their second innings, getting the crucial wicket of Murali Vijay. He should hold on to his place in the next Test as well.
Chris Jordan: 4/10
Jordan looks woefully short on confidence and along with Sam Robson, is one of the few poor performers in the England team for this Test. Surely, Steve Finn is a better bowler?
Stuart Broad: 10/10
Broad has been playing the entire series with a serious foot injury, but he hasn’t let physical pain get in the way of his performances for England. The Old Trafford Test saw him at his best. The way he bowled in the match – with such pace, venom and aggression – was simply outstanding. He is simply a great bowler, and will hopefully get all the rest he deserves after winning the next Test for England.
James Anderson: 9/10
Another brilliant performance by Anderson, although he was playing more of a support act to his friend Broad in this match. He seems to have made a bunny out of Virat Kohli, India’s great batting superstar, getting him out four times while giving away just 7 runs, and retained his hold over the Indian in this Test as well, easily dismissing him twice. And yes, he got his bitter rival Ravindra Jadeja out as well. Another great Test for James Anderson, who seems to have put behind the defeats against Australia and Sri Lanka behind and looks completely rejuvenated.
