England Cricket / Andrew Hughes / 27 May 2008 / Leave a Comment

Andrew Hughes assesses the performance of the England players who beat New Zealand in a gripping Second Test: top marks for Andrew Strauss, Sidebottom continues to impress, KP must do better and Collingwood faces the axe

Woeful and impressive in equal proportion, England's back-from-the-brink victory at Old Trafford leaves us non the wiser about the future under Peter Moores. One thing we can be sure of though is that greater challenges lie ahead this year. So based on what we've seen so far this summer, which of the current line-up are up to the job?

Alastair Cook 7/10

Looks a more solid proposition against the new ball, having curbed his propensity to fish outside the off stump. Outscored Strauss at Lords in compiling a careful fifty and unlucky to be on the wrong end of a marginal decision at Old Trafford. Hard to see anyone replacing him for the foreseeable future.

Andrew Strauss 10/10

Defied his critics and dealt with the pressure by gripping more tightly the basic tools of his trade: a finely tuned sense of where his off stump is and a range of cleanly hit drives. His half-centuries at Lords and Old Trafford were stodgy but secure and his match-winning century on Monday rang with confidence. His position is surely safe now.

Michael Vaughan 8/10

Stroked a timely century at Lords, replete with gorgeous cover drives and laid the groundwork for the victory at Manchester with a crucial forty-eight. Jacob Oram had him looking a little flat-footed at times but a healthy average of over sixty and a series lead have silenced the doubters.

Kevin Pietersen 5/10

England's principal attacking talent persists with his baffling Chris Tavare impersonation. He does not have the technique for the patient game and he was made to look foolish by Vettori more than once. He isn't on the way out yet but if doesn't start to trust his attacking instincts soon, he will be vulnerable.

Ian Bell 2/10

A man it seems forever playing within his own capabilities, either through fear or caution. A brace of pretty cover drives but two soft dismissals nibbling outside the off-stump. His steady scoring rate doesn't help the cause either. He needs runs soon.

Paul Collingwood 2/10

Prime candidate for the drop. Offers little at number six, being in such wretched form that he cannot even summon up a gritty, tail-marshalling rearguard action. Even overlooked as fifth bowler in favour of Pietersen. Has barely put two runs together for Durham and if he fails again at Trent Bridge, we will have an early test of Vaughan's assertion that there is no 'cosiness' in the batting line-up.

Tim Ambrose 6/10

Tidy enough with the gloves, insipid with the bat, his heroics at Wellington long forgotten. But Moores will not want to lose another Sussex prodigy so soon after bidding farewell to Matt Prior. Is likely to be given the rest of the summer at least.

Stuart Broad 7/10

His concealed yorker to Vettori in the first innings at Old Trafford was a beautiful piece of thinking cricket and his batting was a pleasant bonus, full of attacking intent and well-executed shots. Light on wickets, he should be given a long run in the side. But given what happened to Hoggard, that cannot be guaranteed.

Ryan Sidebottom 9/10

A rare bad day at Lords' was put right the following morning with four wickets for five runs. Both the most dangerous and most economical of the quick bowlers, he remains the first name on the team sheet.

James Anderson 7/10

His reinvention as a strike bowler is an interesting development. Lacking the consistency to be a line and length merchant, his temperament and fragile technique do equip him to bowl in short bursts and his spell after lunch on the first day at Old Trafford was quick and destructive. But he remains the prime candidate to give way for Flintoff and one bad game could see him dropped.

Monty Panesar 8/10

His series came to life on Sunday, when he ran through the Black Caps for the second time this year to set up the victory. Best ever bowling figures of 6-37 were a just reward for his willingness to vary his pace and flight. He continues to improve at the top level and there is no question of Adil Rashid's promotion at the moment.

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