England managed to complete a 3-0 series win over a full-strength Pakistan despite losing the entirety of their original squad days before the series started due to a COVID-19 outbreak – a result that has ramifications on Pakistan’s World Cup qualification chances. Yas Rana runs the rule over the eleven England players used across the series.
Phil Salt: 7.5/10
104 runs @ 34.66, SR: 116.85
Got England off to a pair of blistering starts in the final two games of the series. Seemed the relish the step up to international cricket and his approach fits right in with the way Eoin Morgan wants his team to play.
Dawid Malan: 5/10
68 runs @ 34, SR: 88.31
Serene in the run chase in the series opener, but followed that half-century with a pair of ducks. Given his obvious aptitude for international limited overs cricket, those failures represent a real missed opportunity.
Zak Crawley: 7.5/10
97 runs @ 48.50, SR: 114.11
Carried his excellent T20 Blast form into the ODI series and looked a completely different player to the one who was tying himself in knots during the New Zealand Test series earlier this summer.
James Vince: 9.5/10
158 runs @ 79, SR: 107.48
Could this finally be it? James Vince’s breakthrough as international cricketer? Vince was outstanding as he scored his first international hundred six years after his England debut to rescue England alongside Lewis Gregory in the Edgbaston ODI, manipulating the field with apparent ease, hitting good balls to the boundary and always putting the Pakistani bowlers under pressure. An overdue reminder of his ability.
Ben Stokes: 5/10
54 runs @ 27, SR: 100
No wickets, ER: 7.40
Stokes rarely bowled himself and when he did, he was expensive. With the bat, he arguably exhibited too much intent. It’s a hard accusation to ever level against this generation of England white-ball players given their success with their approach, but it did feel like Stokes was trying to push the game along unnecessarily quickly. Looked after an inexperienced side brilliantly.
John Simpson: 3/10
20 runs @ 10, SR: 64.51
In truth, his inclusion – even with that many absentees – was a surprise. While he did have one nice moment in the spotlight – an excellent catch off Parkinson at Lord’s – he also dropped a couple of reasonably straightforward chances and never looked that comfortable with bat in hand.
Lewis Gregory: 9/10
117 runs @ 58.50, SR: 100.86
Four wickets @ 25.25, ER: 5.10
Gregory is a very effective white-ball cricketer and he showed that he’s got much to offer in both disciplines in the international game. His 77 at Edgbaston was brilliant as he managed the run chase expertly alongside Vince.
Bydon Carse: 8/10
Six wickets @ 22.66, ER: 5.44
Burgled a five-for at the back-end of the Pakistan innings at Edgbaston but really, those wickets were just reward for his work across the series. He bowled with good pace – this won’t be the last time we see him in international cricket. Played two crucial cameos with the bat, too.
Craig Overton: 8/10
Four wickets @ 31.50, ER: 4.97
There had been a lot of chat going into this summer that Overton had put on ‘an extra yard of pace’ since his last outing as an international cricketer. If that’s true, it wasn’t immediately obvious, but he did look like a bowler on top of his game. ODI cricket can be a difficult game for an 80mph seamer who doesn’t take the new ball, but he kept a lid on things throughout, offering his skipper much-needed control in the middle.
Saqib Mahmood: 9.5/10
Nine wickets @ 13.66, ER: 4.39
Exceptional with the new ball, providing a genuine threat up top in all three games. Saqib showed why there’s been such clamour for him to get more game time in England’s white-ball sides. Sharp, skiddy and with an ability to move the balls both ways, he should be a more regular presence in England’s ODI side at the very least.
Matt Parkinson: 7.5/10
Five wickets @ 28, ER: 5.83
Unlucky not to pick up more wickets with four catches dropped off his bowling across the three games. Bowled the delivery of the series to dismiss Imam-ul-Haq in the series finale, but also suffered at the hands of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. Looks a more-than-capable back-up to Adil Rashid.