England Player Ratings
Andrew Strauss - 8 led from the front with his batting, 3 centuries and 541 runs at an average of 67. Rotated his bowlers well to keep the Windies on their toes, challenged on the declarations made in Antigua and Trinidad but in my opinion got them right. With more luck and without Freddies injury he may have been praised for series fightback.
Alistair Cook - 6 didn"t find batting as easy as Strauss but contributed to the successful opening partnerships in Antigua and Barbados, key innings in Barbados to ensure the match was drawn when finally reaching a century in the second innings.
Ian Bell - 4 got out in Jamaica after getiing himself in and was punished by being dropped in Antigua. Number three not solved yet so he may get another chance in England colours.
Owasis Shah - 5 took his chance in Antigua scoring 57, but then looked in all sorts of trouble in his next two tests. Running between the wickets is a problem and not the most athletic fielder in the team, may be replaced in the summer.
Kevin Pietersen - 6 didn"t look his normal self and was outscored at the crease by his batting partner in most innings, still contributed well with 406 runs at an avergae of 58, but could and should have scored more, criticised for getting out in Jamaica with the England innings well set.
Paul Collingwood - 7.5 was one that I felt was under pressure but delivered when required. 2 centuries and 430 runs in total a great return for a number 5. Not really called upon as a bowler and took some key catches, although he spilled a couple of what would have been key ones too.
Matt Prior - 6 batted superbly and scored runs quickly, keeping was awful though, the extras given away in Antigua and Trinidad could have cost England the win they were desperately after.
Ravi Bopara - 7 selected for the Barbados test and did nothing wrong scoring an important century. Had to make way for an extra bowler in Trinidad as England went for a win, will get another chance.
Tim Ambrose - 6 another who did everything that was asked of him, kept and batted well in Barbados, made way for the returning Prior in Trinidad.
Andrew Flintoff - 5 suffered with injuries at a key time again, a fully fit Flintoff would have seen an England win in Antigua, needs to be fit for the Ashes to provide some venom and fire power to the bowling attack.
Graeme Swann - 8 not selected for the orginal test in Antigua but made the side for the additional third test, leading wicket taker on tour with 19 wickets and has provided the selectors with a headache over which spinner to go with, has a bit more guile than Panesar at the moment.
Ryan Sidebottom- 4 didn"t look fit and was out of sorts on the flat wickets, time for England to look for another seamer who swings the ball.
Steve Harmison - 4 another bowler who didn"t look fit, but the only bowler other than Flintoff to actually generate some pace. Will he get another chance, possibly.
Stuart Broad - 7 ends this tour wiser and stronger, took 12 wickets in the series and added some depth to the batting line up. Could do with bowling fuller as he had a tendency to bowl short, may have been due to the flat wickets offered up.
Jimmy Anderson - 7.5 the player the ladies all love, and also one of the most unlucky bowlers on tour. Put the effort in for his skipper but didn"t get the rewards he probably deserved, should be in the Ashes team in the summer.
Monty Panesar - 6 I have to say something was always happenning when Monty was bowling, the Windies feared him and went after him. Was always in the nets practising and will come back from this series a stronger player, needs to develop his variety but still has a strong England future. He was also superb fielding in the covers in Trinidad, something I never thought I would ever say !
