Ben Gardner marks England’s players out of 10 after a routine ODI series win over Sri Lanka.
Joe Root – 10
147 runs, no dismissals, SR: 84.48, 2 50s
Admittedly this was one of Joe Root’s easier international assignments, faced with two middling totals and a limited attack, but it’s impossible to conceive of how the No.3 could have done anything more, so full marks is the only option. His half-century in the first game helped recover from a wobble, and he’s now within touching distance of becoming England’s leading international run-scorer.
Chris Woakes – 9.5
6 wickets @ 7.66, ER: 2.30
Again, all the caveats apply, but Chris Woakes was masterly, bowling eight maidens in 20 overs and wreaking havoc among the Sri Lanka top-order. He’s arguably England’s greatest ODI bowler, and he showed exactly why such accolades apply.
Jason Roy – 9
60 runs @ 60, SR: 115.38
A typically bullish half-century in his only innings confirmed his return to fitness after a calf injury, and gave England a strong start in their toughest chase of the tour.
Eoin Morgan – 6
81 runs @ 81, SR: 81.00
A long-awaited half-century came in the second game, albeit with the pressure largely off, but Eoin Morgan loses two points for choosing to bowl first in every game this series, and squandering a golden chance to test out England’s bench strength against weak opposition.
Jonny Bairstow – 6
72 runs @ 36, SR: 126.31
Two starts, the first of which almost ensured England were done in time to watch their footballing counterparts against Germany, but he’ll know this was an opportunity for two big scores given up.
Moeen Ali – 5
28 runs @ 28, SR: 49.12; 1 wicket @ 5, ER: 2.50
His 28 in the first game helped England recover after a collapse, but you desperately wanted him to open his shoulders, live a little and try and hit his way back into some form. England at the moment however prefer to eschew any form of risk. Barely used with the ball, but did add a tail-end wicket.
Sam Billings – 3.5
3 runs @ 3, SR: 37.50
Failed in his only innings, but was exceptional in the field, something which could be a factor come the T20 World Cup selection shakedown.
Liam Livingstone – 2.5
9 runs @ 9, SR: 75.00
Was happy to cede the strike as Bairstow went ballistic before falling in the fifth over. While a cleanly struck free-hit six was evidence of his power, this was a chance to make a statement gone begging.
Mark Wood – 5.5
0 wickets, ER: 3.17
A harsh score perhaps considering his miserly economy rate, but England allowed Sri Lanka off the hook to some extent in each of the first two games, and are yet to find a proper replacement for Liam Plunkett’s middle-overs wiles. Mark Wood looks best suited to that role, but went wicketless in this series.
Tom Curran – 7.5
4 wickets @ 19.50, ER: 3.90
A welcome return to wickets in the final ODI, though Tom Curran will need to do well against more capable opposition to dispel doubts about his abilities at this level.
Sam Curran – 6.5
5 wickets @ 24.60, ER: 5.19
Made things happen five times in the second ODI, though was relatively expensive through the series.
David Willey – 8
9 wickets @ 16.00, ER: 5.33
Took new-ball wickets in every game, a skill which could see him burst back into contention for a regular T20I starting berth.
Adil Rashid – 3
1 wicket @ 130, ER: 5.41
A strangely ineffectual series for England’s premier leggie, especially after he dominated the T20Is.
