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South Africa v England 2023

Marks out of 10: Player Ratings for England after their 2-1 ODI series loss to South Africa

Jofra Archer celebrates with team mates after taking the wicket of Rassie van der Dussen during the 3rd ODI between South Africa and England
by Katya Witney 4 minute read

Ratings for every England after their 2-1 ODI series loss in their first ODI outing  of 2023.

Jason Roy – 5/10

3 matches, 123 runs at 41.00, SR: 105.12, HS: 113

Coming into the series under significant pressure after a dismal run of form over the last six months, Roy’s century in the first ODI was more than welcome. It gave a glimpse of Roy back at his best, but the two single figure scores which followed show he still has a way to go to alleviate concerns over his form before England name their World Cup squad.

Dawid Malan – 8/10

3 match, 189 runs at 63.00, SR: 102.71, HS: 118

His hundred in the final match was a timely reminder of his ability in this format. Struggling by his own admission to get the ball off the square early in his innings, he went through the gears to put on a devastatingly destructive partnership with Jos Buttler. With England struggling after losing three wickets in the powerplay, the pair ensured England recovered to score well over 300. With a fifty in the first match as well, Malan has gone a long way to inking his name into England’s top four for the coming months.

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Ben Duckett – 2/10

3 matches, 23 runs at 7.66, SR: 54.76, HS: 20

A poor return to ODI cricket for Duckett. Having dominated the spin-heavy Pakistan Test bowling attack in December, he showed that he still has much to prove at international level against quicker attacks.

Harry Brook – 4/10

3 matches, 86 runs at 28.66, SR: 98.85, HS: 80

Mixed results for Harry Brook in his first ODI series. He book-ended the series with two low scores, making a duck on ODI debut. But his 80 from 75 balls in the second match, full of the kind of innovation and clean hitting with which he burst onto the international scene this winter, showed his potential as a long-term No.4.

Jos Buttler – 9/10

3 matches, 261 runs at 130.50, SR: 104.40, HS: 131

Two incredible innings for Buttler give him the highest ranking from the series. While there aren’t enough superlatives for Buttler as a white-ball cricketer, his 131 after coming in during the sixth over showed the depth of his skill set. After still being on nought after 13 balls, he switched gears with ease after reaching fifty, smashing seven sixes in his innings. It was his third-highest score in ODI cricket, and the highest number of balls (127) he has ever faced in an ODI innings.

Moeen Ali – 5/10

3 matches, 103 runs at 34.33, SR:121.17, HS: 51

1 wicket at 112.00, ER: 8.00, BBI: 1-51

A long awaited half-century in the second ODI before an explosive 41-run cameo in the final match, Moeen has done just enough to allay those calling for him to drop down the order, for now. He was decent in the first match with the ball but expensive in the second two, albeit on pitches that weren’t spin-friendly.

Sam Curran – 6/10

3 matches, 56 runs at 18.66, SR: 130.23, HS: 28

4 wickets at 36.25, SR: 5.57, BBI: 3-35

Middling impact from Curran bowling in the middle overs and at the death. He took wickets bowling in the final five overs of the first ODI, including the big one of Rassie van der Dussen on 111. But he was expensive in the final match and copped a fine for his send off of Temba Bavuma in the second. He also played an important cameo with the bat in that match, scoring 28 off 17 at the end of the innings.

Chris Woakes – 3/10

2 matches, 1 wickets at 111.0, ER: 7.83, BBI: 1-51

Just the one wicket for Woakes and he was expensive both opening the bowling and in the middle overs of the first ODI. He was better in the second, breaking the opening stand by dismissing Temba Bavuma for 35. But he still leaked runs in the powerplay.

Adil Rashid – 7/10

3 matches, 4 wickets at 32.50, ER: 6.50, BBI: 3-68

Like clockwork, another good series for Rashid. Joint second highest wicket-taker of the series and by far and away the best spinner of the series from either side.

Jofra Archer – 8/10

2 matches, 7 wickets at 17.28, ER: 6.31, BBI: 6-40

In typical fashion, Archer’s highly anticipated international return saw him get panned for 81 runs and a solitary wicket which came in the penultimate over of the innings. But his patience over the last two years was rewarded with a maiden ODI five-for in the final match of the series, back to his best with searing pace, that impeccably aimed bouncer and destructive yorker. More than worth the wait.

Olly Stone – 6/10

2 matches, 3 wickets at 28.33, ER: 5.00, BBI: 2-48

Positive signs for Stone in his second ODI series back after his long injury lay-off. After picking up a wicket and bowling well in the middle overs in the first match, he was England’s best bowler in the second. He conceding only 48 runs from his ten overs and took two wickets bowling at good pace.

Reece Topley – 3/10

2 matches, 0 wickets, ER: 7.62

No wickets for Topley, he was also fairly expensive. He struggled against Bavuma in both matches.

David Willey – 3/10

1 match, 0 wickets, ER: 6.33

Only six overs in the one match Willey played in the series and no wickets. In the left-arm seamer/all-rounder battle, he hasn’t managed to elevate his standing.

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