England series ratings

Cook 5 - saved his own future for the time being with runs and victories, but rode his luck with the bat and questions remain.

Robson 3 - rarely convinced after a reasonable start against Sri Lanka, technical issues around off stump put his future under question.

Ballance 9 - certainly the find of the summer, nerveless at an unfamiliar number 3 position, two of his dismissals weren't even out and impressed in the field as well.

Bell 5 - one innings rescued his series, otherwise the same old frustrating Bell we've seen for a decade, other than the odd outstanding series.

Root 9 - can't argue with an average over 100, even if some of his runs were simply piling it on when the pressure was off. Surely has found his position now.

Ali 6 - disappointingly careless with the bat, but made an unexpected impact with his bowling to silence the calls for a "specialist" spinner for now.

Prior 2 - poor end to his international career, if that proves to be the case, short of form and fitness.

Buttler 7 - settled into the role instantly with the bat and promises a lot as an attacking number 7. Keeping a work in progress but not too many howlers.

Broad 7 - recovered from a shaky start to lead the demolition of India in the second half of the series. Contributed with bat as well.

Jordan 6 - wayward and ungainly at times but has the habit of taking wickets which means he surely has a future at this level, useful with the bat and in the field as well.

Plunkett 6 - made an impression once he found his role in the side, unfortunate to have his series ended by injury.

Woakes 5 - chipped in when brought back into the fold but perhaps lacks that "X factor" to be a genuine wicket taking threat in Tests.

Stokes 4 - not at his sharpest with the ball, but his complete slump with the bat surely sealed his omission from the side later in the series.

Anderson 8 - we saw the worst of him early on but then he clicked into gear and proved why he's the best English bowler in a generation. Made a surprise impact with the bat, as the "Burnley Lara" tag briefly lost its ironic overtones!

Alastair Cook - afternoon tea.

Sam Robson - tiffin.

Gary Ballance - pizza night.

Ian Bell - burger house, 2am.

Joe Root - swanky Thai restaurant.

Moeen Ali - fry-up and a pint.

Jos Buttler - Chinese takeaway.

Chris Woakes - fish supper.

Chris Jordan - Frankie & Bennie's.

Stuart Broad - superfood salad.

James Anderson - hotel restaurant 3-courser.

India: manky sardines on soggy toast

Ballance looks the goods.

He also looks like Daryl Cullinan.

skully wrote:Ballance looks the goods.

He also looks like Daryl Cullinan.

Speaks in the same accent too!

So who's love-child is he? Darryl Cullinan's, or Duncan Fletcher's?

Both. Darryl provided the seed, Duncan carried him to term.