After England won the first test but lost the second in a thrilling one-run defeat, we rate the tourists’ players out of 10…
Ben Duckett-7
First test: 84 of 68 balls, 25 of 27 balls
Second Test: 9 of 21 balls, 33 of 43 balls
Before England headed to New Zealand, there were questions as to whether Duckett could continue the form he displayed during the 3-0 series win over Pakistan in extremely friendly batting conditions on this tour.
But the lefty has proven to be a more than capable Test starter in these two matches as he built on that strong performance towards the end of last year.
The only disappointment will be that he missed first-innings highs at Mount Maunganui, where he hit 84 off just 68 balls, including 14 fours.
Zak Crawley-5
First test: 2 of 12 balls, 28 of 39 balls
Second Test: 2 of 12 balls, 24 of 30 balls
The player in the team with the most questions about him after this series, as Crawley once again fought to assert himself at the top of the England order.
His highest score of 28 on this tour came in the second innings of the first Test as England triumphed by 267 runs, while he was dismissed by single figures twice.
However, head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes have shown faith in Crawley up to this point and are likely to remain determined to help the 25-year-old fully unlock the talent he has shown glimpses of at test level. .
ollie daddy – 7
First test 42 of 65 balls, 49 of 46 balls
Second Test 10 of 6, 14 of 27 balls
Something of a hit or miss haul for England’s No.3 batsman, who made good starts in both innings in the first Test but barely bothered the scorers in the second.
His 49 as England galloped to a convincing victory at Mount Maunganui came off just 46 balls and included five fours and three sixes, showing how he fits into the team’s attacking philosophy.
However, he was unable to replicate that in the second Test after being sacked for low scores, but he proved his worth in the team as a close fielder with a couple of spectacular catches.
Joe Root – 9
First test 14 of 22 balls, 57 of 62 balls
Second Test 153 of 224, 95 of 113 balls
Second Test 1-29 from 12 overs
Having relinquished the captaincy last year, Root continues to show why he is considered one of the greatest players in Test cricket history with some stellar displays in both matches of this series.
A brilliant 153 which failed to help England recover in the first innings of the second test, followed by a spirited 95 in a second innings losing effort went with a fine half century to help set up victory in the opener against New Zealand.
In fact, Root finished as England’s second-highest run-scorer in the series with a total of 319 at an average of 106.33.
harry brook – 9
First test 89 of 81 balls, 54 of 41 balls
Second Test 186 of 176, 0 of 0
Second Test 1-25 from 8 overs
Undoubtedly one of the most exciting players in any form of cricket today, Brook was named player of the series for his most impressive contributions with the bat in both tests.
Having scored a half-century in both innings of the first, his 186 from just 176 balls in the first innings of the second Test was a dizzying display that featured 24 fours and five sixes.
Despite being left without facing a ball through no fault of his own in the second innings at Wellington, Brook finished as England’s leading run-scorer in New Zealand with 329. He also claimed his first Test wicket when he dismissed Kane Williamson in the second inning of the second Test.
Harry Brook continued his excellent start to his England Test career
Ben Stokes-7
First test 19 of 28 balls, 31 of 33 balls
Second Test 27 of 28, 33 of 116 balls
Second Test 0-16 of two overs
Hampered by a knee injury that became particularly apparent while batting in the second innings as England chased victory in Wellington, Stokes did not show his best performance with either bat or ball in this series.
His four innings brought in 110 runs at an average of 27.50, while the captain was limited to bowling just nine overs in both matches.
There will be some critics who question the decision to enforce the follow-on in Wellington too after New Zealand ended up winning by one run, though they are likely to pay little attention given the extraordinary success the team has enjoyed so far. far in his reign.
Ollie Pope made some good catches on the short leg in the second Test
Ben Foakes – 7
First test 38 of 56 balls, 51 of 80 balls
Second Test 0 of 5, 35 of 57 balls
The debate will no doubt rage as to whether Foakes should continue in the team when Jonny Bairstow returns from injury, but the wicketkeeper is proving a sure presence.
He recorded six dismissals behind stumps during the two-match series against New Zealand and has given Stokes and McCullum a lot to consider when it comes to their wicket-keeping options.
Foakes is also a useful lower-order batsman, although he only made the half-century, which came in the first Test.
Ollie Robinson hit against with the ball
Ollie Robinson-7
First Test 4-54 from 19 overs, 1-34 from eight overs
Second Test 0-31 from 12 overs, 1-84 from 28 overs
First test 15th of 11 balls, 39 of 48 balls
Second Test 18 of 29 balls, 2 of 15 balls
Robinson did not start from the highs of the first innings of the first Test, where he took four wickets, but bowled financially in both games.
He was unlucky not to take any more wickets in the second Test in particular, which would have been a fair reward for how well he would bowl.
The 29-year-old has firmly put his name in contention for this summer’s home Tests against Ireland and Australia, with Mark Wood and Jofra Archer expected to be available again at that time.
England’s Ben Stokes struggled with a knee problem throughout the series
Broad Stuart – 8
First Test 1-72 from 17 overs, 4-49 from 15 overs
Second Test 4-61 from 14.2 overs, 1-29 from 24 overs
Second Test 14 of 17 balls, 11 of 9 balls
One of only three England bowlers to finish with 10 wickets during this tour, it’s hard to believe that just a year ago there was doubt as to whether his international career was over.
However, at 36, Broad continues to form a dangerous opening partnership with James Anderson and was in particularly devastating form during the second innings of the first Test as England triumphed.
He followed up those four wickets with another four in the first innings of the second Test at Wellington, although it was ultimately New Zealand who won in that game.
James Anderson-8
First test 3-36 from 16.5 overs, 4-18 from 10.3 overs
Second Test 3-37 from 10 overs, 0-77 from 27 overs
Second Test 4 of 6 balls (second inning)
The other half of England’s new-ball association played so well during the first Test, with match numbers of 7-54, that he moved back to No. 1 in the world Test rankings for bowlers.
The second Test did not prove quite as fruitful, but the 40-year-old finished the series with 10 wickets to his name at an average of 16.80 and an economy rate of 2.61 runs per over.
He and Broad now also hold the record for the most effective bowling partnership in Test history, with over 1,000 wickets between them.
Jack Leach took five wickets in the second innings
jack leach – 8
First Test 1-84 from 18 overs, 1-25 from 11 overs
Second Test 3-80 from 17 overs, 5-157 from 61.3 overs
Second Test 5 of 6 balls, 1 of 31 balls
The left-arm spinner is a player who seems to constantly question his place on the team, yet time and time again he proves himself.
Leach bowled particularly effectively in a losing effort in the second Test, taking match figures of 8-237, including a five for in New Zealand’s second innings.
In all, he claimed 10 wickets in the two matches at an economy rate of 3.21 runs per over from the team-high 107.3 overs he bowled in those Tests.
Whats Next?
The England white ball team is currently in bangladeshi for a tour comprising three one-day internationals and three T20 internationals, and begins on March 1. England’s next test match is against Ireland at Lord’s, starting Thursday June 1st.