Moments of individual brilliance helped England to a series win but several areas of the side still need addressing
George Dobell27-Jan-20168.5Ben Stokes (411 runs at 58.71; 12 wickets at 29.16)Probably the difference between the teams. The most eye-catching performance of Stokes’ tour may have come in Cape Town, where he produced one of the great Test innings, but perhaps it will prove to be the advances he has made in his bowling that prove more significant in the long term. Despite rarely gaining use of the new ball, he claimed 12 wickets – more than any England bowler other than Broad – and bowled with skill, control and persistence. He was also the quickest member of the attack at times. While unable to replicate his Newlands effort, he unsettled the South Africa bowlers with his aggressive batting and contributed a valuable half-century in Johannesburg. Only Hashim Amla scored more runs in the series. Despite being the youngest member of the squad, he has quickly developed into a key figure in the side.8Stuart Broad (18 wickets at 20.61)Broad rose to No. 1 in the world rankings after his outstanding performance in the second innings in Johannesburg, where he produced his best Test figures overseas. He also produced a key performance in the Durban Test – where his legcutters were things of beauty – and scored some valuable runs. He finished as England’s leading wicket-taker in the series and underlined the view that, on a pitch offering him any assistance, he is a desperately tough proposition.7.5Steven Finn (11 wickets at 26.09)Finn looked England’s most dangerous bowler at times, not least in Cape Town, where his figures of 2 for 132 were scant reward for his control and hostility. Despite that, he claimed 11 wickets in the three games and cemented his position as England’s first-choice third seamer. There may be some concern over the regularity with which injuries are occurring but, with the bounce he generates now complemented by some pleasing movement away from the bat, he looks a fine bowler.Joe Root (386 runs at 55.14)In Johannesburg, on a pitch on which nobody else could score more than 58, Root produced a century of the highest class to shape the game. While he was unable to convert his three other half-centuries, he looked a top quality player throughout. Making his run-scoring all the more impressive was the fact that he was often obliged to rebuild after his team had suffered a poor start and, so wide is his array of strokes, there are times it appears desperately difficult to bowl – or set a field – to him. If a failure to convert his half-centuries remains a frustration, it is worth remembering he is only 25. There may be a temptation to push him up to No. 3 but, bearing in mind his success at No. 4 or No. 5 – it compares with the very best the game has seen – that may be weakening a strength.6Jonny Bairstow (359 runs at 71.80)A perplexing trip. As a batsman, this may be remembered as the series Bairstow came of age. He recorded his maiden Test century at Cape Town – yes, the pitch was good but he came in with his side in a little bit of trouble – and also made valuable contributions in Durban and Johannesburg. His keeping, however, was shown to be some way below the standard required at this level and, by the series end, some of his team-mates were struggling to control their frustration. There were bright moments – he effected England’s first Test stumping since 2012 in Durban, and took nine catches to go with an excellent run-out in Johannesburg – but seven missed chances out of 27 is an uncomfortably high ratio. In Centurion, he dropped all three centurions. Having finished the series top of England’s batting averages, there is a case for him batting at No. 5 and relinquishing the gloves. Marked 8 for his batting and 4 for his keeping.5.5Alastair Cook (184 runs at 23.00)With one half-century in eight innings – and that once the outcome was decided – this was a disappointing series for Cook as a batsman. Twice caught down the leg side, he also nicked off four times. But, helped by the inclusion of a top allrounder, he continues to improve as a captain. Loses half a mark due to a couple of dropped catches.James Taylor (186 runs at 26.57)Taylor started well, with innings of 70 and 42 in Durban, but missed out in Cape Town, where he was dismissed first ball, and failed in the final two Tests; albeit receiving an almost unplayable delivery in his last innings. He looks comfortable enough at this level but, without the large score to cement his position, he remains vulnerable to a run of failures or a strong showing from someone outside the team. He has gained an extra mark for his fielding at short leg: brave and skilful, he took three outstanding catches. It is a factor that is likely to weigh in his favour when it comes to selecting the side for the series against Sri Lanka.Neither James Taylor nor Alex Hales cemented their spots•Getty ImagesJames Anderson (seven wickets at 43.00)Bowled a bit better than his figures suggest. After missing the first Test through injury, he came into the second – on a flat pitch – lacking a bit of rhythm, but at least proved the most economical of England’s main bowlers. Not at his best in the first innings at Johannesburg or Centurion, where his line and length were unusually astray by his high standards, he at least had the satisfaction of completing AB de Villiers’ pair in the final Test. Fitness permitting, he is certain to take the new ball in the Test series against Sri Lanka, but may feel he has more to prove than he has for a while. Worth remembering that, on pitches offering him nothing in the UAE only a few weeks ago, he was England’s best bowler. There is no obvious replacement pushing for his place.5Moeen Ali (116 runs at 29.00, 10 wickets at 48.50)Moeen took seven wickets in Durban, where he was Man of the Match, but only three more in the remaining three Tests. While he generally performed the holding role pretty well – certainly better than in the UAE – he rarely threatened and was punished on a couple of occasions as South Africa looked to accelerate. While the pitches offered him little encouragement, he will be disappointed that, on the occasions the batsmen came after him, he seemed to struggle to maintain his length. Produced only one innings of note – an elegant half-century in Centurion with the series already decided – but finished above Cook, Hales and Taylor in the batting averages. He remains a work in progress and the India tour looms in the distance. But alternatives are not obvious.Nick Compton (245 runs at 30.62)Played a huge role in England’s Durban win with innings of 85 and 49 but then, unsettled by talk of his relatively slow strike rate, strayed from his natural game and suffered the consequences with a series of diminishing returns. Still looked more solid than most for much of the series and was the victim of an almost unplayable delivery in the first innings in Centurion but he will look back on this series as an opportunity not entirely taken. His final innings, where he almost ran out his captain in scampering a single to get off the mark and then used a review in vain after edging a drive against a ball he could have left, did not leave the most helpful last impression. He loses half a mark for his fielding.3Alex Hales (136 runs at 17.00)In only reaching 30 once in eight innings, Hales was unable to seize his chance to secure a longer run as Cook’s opening partner. Four times he was caught off an outside edge in the cordon – another time he sliced to point – and his fragility around off stump, demonstrated when he was twice dismissed in the warm-up games leaving straight ones, raises questions over his future at this level. He will surely need to start the County Championship season well to win a longer run in the side.2.5Chris Woakes (34 runs at 8.50, five catches)Bowled tidily enough in Durban, albeit without much threat, but then poorly in Centurion. While it is true he, like most members of the attack, suffered from a couple of dropped chances, he would be honest enough to admit he did not bowl with the consistency required at this level. In the absence of Finn and Mark Wood, this was a huge opportunity for Woakes. He failed to take it.
