West Indies crushed England by 10 wickets at St. George’s to win the Richards-Botham Tropy 1-0. Let’s take a look at the players who made it to our combined XI for the series.
Kraigg Brathwaite
341 runs @ 85.25, HS 160, 1 hundred, 2 fifties
His record-breaking performance in Barbados – where he faced more deliveries than any West Indies batter had previously done in a single Test – ensured that his side went into the series finale with a chance of winning the series, which they duly went on to do.
Alex Lees
126 @ 21, HS 31, 0 hundreds, 0 fifties
Arguably a controversial selection over Crawley given the Kent opener scored a hundred in the series opener and Lees failed to reach 35 across the series. Part of an opener’s job is to see off the new ball, something that Crawley didn’t come close to do doing in four of his six innings where he fell for single-figure scores. Lees’ strike-rate of 27.39 would have made Chris Tavaré proud an opposition bowlers and while he did blunt the West Indies attack on multiple occasions, a significant score still alluded him.
Joe Root
289 runs @ 48.16, HS 153, 2 centuries
Barring the final Test, Joe Root had a major impact throughout the series. His 109 in the first game helped England overtake the West Indies lead, and set West Indies a stiff target. He scored a majestic 153 in the second Test to help England cross 500 in the first innings.
Nkrumah Bonner
177 runs @ 44.25, HS 123, 1 century
The late bloomer played two brilliant knocks in a player of the match performance at North Sound. His 138-ball 38 in the second innings was almost as valuable as his 123 in the first innings, helping West Indies out of a tricky situation on the final day.
Jonny Bairstow
226 runs @ 45.2, HS 140, 1 century
While Jonny Bairstow’s returns fell after his 140 at North Sound, it was enough to propel him into the top three run-scorers of the series. After his Sydney exploits, this hundred was yet another indication that Bairstow might have turned a new leaf in red-ball cricket.
Ben Stokes
194 @ 32.33, HS 120, 7 wickets @ 26.85, BBI 2-42
Ben Stokes shined in a series which bears the name of one of the greatest all-rounders to have ever played the game. There was an emotional hundred at Bridgetown and several arduous bowling spells in a series which saw Stokes return to somewhere near his best after a difficult Ashes series.
Kyle Mayers
28 @ 28, 7 wickets @ 4.42, BBI 5-18
After two draws where England had the upper hand, West Indies needed something special to get the better of Joe Root’s team. Kyle Mayers played that role in spectacular fashion in Grenada, ripping through England in both innings with his medium pace.
Joshua Da Silva
195 @ 97.5, HS 100*, 1 hundred, 8 catches, 2 stumpings
Joshua Da Silva’s hundred changed the course of the third Test, at one stage it looked possible that England would gain a lead, but Da Silva fought the conditions to help the hosts gain a crucial 93-run lead.
Saqib Mahmood
52 runs @ 52, 6 wickets @ 22.83, BBI 2-21
Saqib Mahmood delivered on all accounts during the tour. He was sharp and effective on the slow and low pitch at Bridgetown, giving England a sniff of victory with his 2-21 in the second innings.
Kemar Roach
11 wickets @ 26.27, BBI 2-10, Econ 2.82
Kemar Roach set about to defend West Indies’ proud home record against England at the outset of this series. The supremely skilled veteran finished the series as its joint leading wicket-taker.
Jayden Seales
11 wickets @ 26.45, BBI 4-79, Econ 3.09
The student follows the teacher. Seales has gone strength to strength since his debut last June. Ended the series on 11 wickets, the same final tally as Roach and Jack Leach.