ENGLAND WORLD CUP RATINGS: Jos Buttler grew in stature throughout
ENGLAND WORLD CUP RATINGS: Jos Buttler grew in stature and Alex Hales earned redemption, while Adil Rashid was mean with the ball and Sam Curran was rightly crowned tournament’s best player
- Sam Curran was crowned England’s best player after T20 World Cup triumph
- Jos Buttler grew as the tournament went on while Alex Hales redeemed himself
- Adil Rashid was a mean bowler who improved going into the final on Sunday
- England won the T20 World Cup in style, beating Pakistan by five wickets
England won their second Twenty20 World Cup in dramatic style on Sunday, seeing off Pakistan in the final by five wickets.
It has been a rocky path for England through the rain-affected tournament, losing in the Super 12 to Ireland, but ultimately, the players improved, and delivered results when it finally mattered.
While Ben Stokes will earn plaudits for his unbeaten 52 in the final, Adil Rashid’s mean bowling and Jos Buttler’s all-round performance both improved as the World Cup progressed.
Here are LAWRENCE BOOTH’s ratings for England’s World Cup team in batting order.
Jos Buttler’s leadership grew in statute through England’s run to victory at the T20 World Cup
9 Jos Buttler Eoin who? This is Buttler’s team now. His leadership grew in stature, and his batting – especially against New Zealand and India – could be utterly destructive.
8 Alex Hales Talk about redemption. Began slowly, but played fearless innings in the wins over New Zealand, Sri Lanka and India. Hit more sixes – 10 – than anyone in the team.
6 Dawid Malan Ended up on the periphery, first because he was moved down the order, then because of injury. At 35, will England stick with him?
Alex Hales redeemed himself by being more fearless, and was England’s highest sixes scorer
6 Phil Salt Batted only once, in the final, and struck the ball more cleanly than 10 off nine deliveries suggests.
9 Ben Stokes That’s how to deal with the disappointment of Kolkata 2016. Twice anchored tricky run-chases – against Sri Lanka and Pakistan – and skilfully bowled England’s first over in five of their six games. A colossus.
5 Harry Brook Never at his best, despite a handy 20 in the final. Misjudged the chase against Ireland, but will be better for the experience.
6 Moeen Ali Bowled only two overs because of the obsession with match-ups, but his experience shone through in the final, when his 19 off 12 balls helped get England home.
Sam Curran was player of the tournament, while Ben Stokes hit an unbeaten 52 in the final
7 Liam Livingstone England’s middle-order floater only occasionally came off, but he offered useful overs of both-ways spin and was a gun in the field.
9 Sam Curran Time to stop calling him ‘bits and pieces’. Began with five for 10 against Afghanistan, and finished with three for 12 against Pakistan. Made clever use of his left-arm angle, and was player of the tournament.
7 Chris Woakes Apart from an off-day against Ireland, he gave England control in the powerplay overs. Barely batted, but his presence down the order gave confidence to colleagues above.
Adil Rashid’s mean bowling improved throughout the tournament, particularly in vital matches
7 Chris Jordan Stepped in after Wood’s injury, and made up for last year’s semi-final defeat by New Zealand with five wickets against India and Pakistan.
9 Adil Rashid England’s meanest bowler, he went at just 6.12 an over, and just got better. The last three games – against Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, all good players of spin – brought him 4-58 off 12 overs.
8 Mark Wood Never less than menacing in his four games before injury struck. Especially effective at the death against Sri Lanka.
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