England player ratings as Buttler scores a nine but Root struggles after ODI series whitewash over Australia

Sport360 staff 13:56 25/06/2018
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  • England player ratings following their unprecedented 5-0 series whitewash of Australia:

    Eoin Morgan 8 – The captain deserves most credit of all for his orchestration, in word and deed, of England’s continued resurgence. For good measure, he contributed England’s fastest ever half-century – from 21 balls – to their world-record 481 for six at Trent Bridge.

    Jason Roy 8 There will always be feast and famine with Roy, and even in this series a second-ball duck and a single bookmarked two centuries and an 80. Morgan’s England know that, and still look highly likely to back the adventurous opener all the way to the World Cup.

    Jonny Bairstow 9 – Roy’s opening partner is currently churning out the same reward, without quite the apparent risk. Bairstow is probably at the very top of his game – but even when he is not, he is a major asset to the world’s number one team.

    Alex Hales 7 – Marginally down the pecking order at number three, Hales proved he is no slouch with his unbeaten 147 on his home ground – before helping to close out a calm win in Durham.

    Joe Root 5 – One half-century in five, and a bare 50 at that, represents a lean series for England’s Test captain and most reliable all-format batsman.

    Jos Buttler 9 – Unbeaten half-centuries were key in Cardiff and Durham, even before his match-winning and whitewash-sealing heroics at Old Trafford. There were some memorable moments behind the stumps from him too.

    Moeen Ali 8 – He and Adil Rashid had an equal share of 24 wickets – bordering on the prolific but they were beneficiaries at times of the dire straits Australia were already in. Moeen’s runs down the order were in short supply, from limited opportunities.

    Moeen Ali was back at his best,

    Moeen Ali was back at his best,

    Liam Plunkett 7 – His wicket-taking knack was to the fore in England’s two opening victories, and he looks set to remain a key contributor up to next summer’s World Cup.

    David Willey 7 – If the white ball does not swing – and that is regularly the case, of course – England often struggle to work out when the left-armer can bowl his full 10 overs. Willey’s tailend batting is a handy insurance, though, as in the scrambled win at The Oval.

    Adil Rashid 8 – He is at ease with his decision to specialise with the white ball, and few will be ready to argue at this stage after his fine series in tandem with Moeen – and his late hand to help Buttler in Manchester.

    Mark Wood 6 – Still struggling for wickets and therefore a first-choice claim to lead the attack.

    Sam Billings 3 – He had one chance in the middle order thanks to Morgan’s injury in Cardiff, and did not take it.

    Craig Overton 3 – Looked vulnerable when he came in for the rested Plunkett at Chester-le-Street, and picked up a side injury for his trouble.

    Jake Ball 7 – Neither enhanced nor damaged his claims with his five wicketless overs in Manchester, but kept his cool admirably with the bat at the death.

    Sam Curran 6 – He got a little early swing but a bit of hammer on his Old Trafford debut, two quick wickets in his second spell, and 15 runs from number seven.

    Not a bad ODI debut at all for Sam Curran.

    Not a bad ODI debut at all for Sam Curran.

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