Published: Feb 02, 2015, 04:18 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 02, 2015, 04:59 PM (IST)
England surprised with their spirited show in the triangular series in Australia, which also involved heavyweights India as they ended up as runners up in the crucial tournament ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Devarchit Varma rates the performances of the England cricketers during the tri-series.
The very fact that England were the finalists in the triangular series which involved two top-ranked teams in the One-Day International (ODI) format, India and Australia, proves that the Eoin Morgan-led side has begun to gel well after a tough time in recent months. England had a poor build-up to this series, plus there was a change in leadership. But the two commanding wins over India and a spirited show against the old rivals would have given England a lot of confidence heading into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
England were impressive with both bat and ball, but at times one felt they lacked the killer instincts that teams might need in ODI cricket. They did well in all of their matches, and showed lot of character, and even got the better of India on two occasions. But the hosts, Australia, were too good for them on all occasions, and whenever England challenged them, they found heroes who bailed them out of trouble.
Let’s take a look at the player ratings for England:
Ian Bell (9/10): The right-handed opener ended the series with 247 runs in five matches, at an impressive average of 61.75 with a ton and a half-century. Ian Bell provided England the stability they desired at the start of the innings, and on multiple occasions he showed that he can play as per the need of the situation.
Moeen Ali (7/10): The 27-year-old proved to be an asset for England. He continued to play fearless cricket as an opening batsman, and the way he has managed to dominate the Indian batsmen with the ball was exemplary. On the fast and bouncy tracks in Australia, Moeen Ali did have his share of problems and this is where the opposition sides would like to attack the England cricketer. Nevertheless, Moeen finished the series as the fifth highest wicket-taker.
James Taylor (7/10): The right-handed batsman made most of the opportunities that came his way. When England looked all but over in their crucial sixth ODI against India at Perth, it was James Taylor who took charge of England’s modest yet challenging chase. Taylor showed that he can hold innings together and can also drop the anchor. He scored two half-centuries in the series — both against India — and ended as the fifth highest run-scorer.
Eoin Morgan (5/10): The England captain came into this series atrociously low on form. But, Eoin Morgan did a fine job in his first series as captain, taking his side to the final. Morgan began the series with a superb 121 at Sydney in the opening ODI, but with two ducks in last three games it was all even stevens for him. There was also an off-field issue, but that has been forgotten now.
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Joe Root (4/10): The young England batsman had a forgettable series as he could manage only 102 runs in five outings, with one half-century which came against Australia at Hobart. Joe Root averaged close to 25 in the triangular series, as he will hope to turn things around personally in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
Ravi Bopara (2/10): The triangular series turned out to be a nightmare for the 29-year-old as he scored only 57 runs in five matches, at an atrocious average of 14.25. Ravi Bopara failed to provide England the performances they were anticipating with his presence in the lower-order, and he would only hope that he turns around the fortunes if given a chance in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
Jos Buttler (6/10): The 24-year-old Jos Buttler was selected ahead of Alex Hales and he did a fine job for England throughout the seven-match series. His best performance came against India in the sixth ODI, wherein he took four catches and scored 67 crucial runs to ensure his side qualify for the final. Buttler’s presence provides England tremendous stability in the lower-order, and with his good batting performances throughout the series, the wicketkeeper-batsman has somewhat confirmed his place as of yet.
Stuart Broad (3/10): The lanky pacer remained wicketless for a major part of the series and also did not perform with the bat as well as he would have liked. In the final against Australia, Stuart Broad deployed the strategy of bowling the new ball cross-seam, which paid off as he claimed the wicket of George Bailey at a crucial interval. However, Broad wasn’t among the top-performers for England.
Chris Woakes (6/10): The right-arm pacer registered the third costliest bowling spells in England-Australia bilateral cricket, as he gave away as many as 89 runs off 10 overs in the final. Nevertheless, Chris Woakes turned out to be quite effective bowling partner for James Anderson, as he did trouble the opposition batsmen with his pace and bounce. Woakes ended the series with eight wickets in five matches.
Chris Jordan (4/10): In the only appearance in this series, Jordan claimed one wicket and scored 17 runs as England lost the opening tie of the tournament to Australia at Sydney. Chris Jordan would like to put behind the ordinary show and try and force his way back into the playing eleven.
Steven Finn (9/10): The tall paceman had an outstanding series, which he ended being the leading wicket-taker for England with 11 wickets in five matches. Finn ripped apart India in their first clash at The Gabba, registering a five-for, which was his first in the career. Finn showed that he has improved a great deal, and could be a vital cog for England in limited-overs cricket.
James Anderson (7/10): The seasoned campaigner had absolutely no qualms in making the most of the conditions that suited his style of bowling. On more than one occasion Anderson started with the first ball of the game being as accurate as it could be, and maintained good performances right till the end. Anderson played only four matches and claimed seven wickets.
Gary Ballance and James Tredwell were also a part of England’s squad for this triangular series but they did not get any game.
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
