The Reverse Sweep

England v West Indies - West Indies series marks out of 10

Adrian Barath (114 runs at 22.80) 3: Battled through the first sessions at Lord's and Edgbaston but then promptly gave it away each time after reaching 40. A Test average of 23 doesn't lie, but the talent is there as his hundred on debut against Australia at the Gabba as a teenager proved. Needs to bat with an experienced opening partner - yes, we're talking about you Chris Gayle.

Kieran Powell (71 runs at 14.20) 3: Despite the odd cracking drive, is clearly not an opener and would be far more at home at five or six.

Kirk Edwards (8 runs at 2.00) 0: The vice-captain started the series with a Test average in excess of 50, but he simply didn't have a clue in English conditions against the moving ball and the immense skill of Anderson, Broad and Bresnan. Will probably need to lie down in a dark room for a while.

Assad Fudadin (1 innings, 28 runs) 4: Made his debut at Edgbaston and battled away at number three - making eight more runs than Edwards managed on the whole tour. Worth another look.

Darren Bravo (81 runs at 16.20) 3: A top score of 29 doesn't even go close to justifying his talent and pre-tour billing. Came in too often when his side were not a lot for two and was therefore exposed to the new ball. Will do better next time.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (235 runs at 78.33) 7: Inspired his side's fightback at Lord's although personal glory eluded him with scores of 87* and 91. Less impressive at Trent Bridge where he was exposed and defeated by the new ball in the 2nd innings, before being ruled out by injury at Edgbaston.

Marlon Samuels (386 runs at 96.50) 9.5: It looked like more of the same from Samuels after he was dismissed for 31 after an airy waft in the 1st innings at Lord's after doing all the hard work. But thereafter he reeled off scores of 86, 117, 76* and 76 to suggest that after 12 years, he has finally arrived on the Test stage. 

Narsingh Deonarine (1 innings, 7 runs) 2: Hard to judge on one brief innings, but impossible to rate higher than two out of ten after the way he chased a wide one from Onions when his side needed him to dig in. 

Dinesh Ramdin (163 runs at 40.75) 6: After a battling display in the 2nd innings at Lord's, he looked off the pace at Trent Bridge as noted by Viv Richards. His subsequent riposte of a second Test hundred at Edgbaston was as impressive as the note he displayed to King Viv on reaching the milestone was crass.

Darren Sammy (6 wickets at 48.50; 201 runs at 40.20) 7: Incongruously unlikely hundred at Trent Bridge brought perhaps the biggest cheer of the series, grabbed the odd useful wicket and led his battling but well-beaten troops with charm and determination. A cricketer whose whole is fr greater than the sum of his parts.

Kemar Roach (8 wickets at 34.25) 6: Gave West Indies hope at Lord's with a fierce spell as England chased 191, but his habit of bowling no-balls cost him dear at Trent Bridge where he twice would have snared Cook but for stepping over the line.

Fidel Edwards (1 Test, one wicket for 112) 2: Disappointing at Lord's where if he could have offered support to Roach on the final morning, West Indies could have won a stunning victory. Didn't feature at Trent Bridge or Edgbaston. 

Ravi Rampaul (4 wickets at 35.50) 7: The pick of the West Indies seamers at Trent Bridge where his control and penetration brought his side back into the game on the third morning. Carrying a bit of extra timber after a recent illness meant he was a deadringer for Masood from Eastenders - or so the wife tells me.

Shannon Gabriel (1 Test, 4 wickets at 21.50) 6: Came in for his debut at Lord's and did reasonably enough to warrant another chance before he succumbed to injury.

Tino Best (1 Test, two for 37; 95 runs) 9: Bowled consistently at over 90 miles per hour and scored the highest score in Test history by a number eleven batsman. Mind the windows indeed, Tino.

Shane Shillingford (1 Test, one for 138) - 1: It was too cold for his hands to feature at Lord's and his bowling hadn't warmed up much by the time he came in at Trent Bridge where he was dealt with ease by England's batsmen.

Sunil Narine (1 Test, none for 70) - 2: There wasn't much mystery with Narine at Edgbaston, but let's wait before we dismiss his credentials in the longer form of the game just yet.

Where next?

England v West Indies - England series marks out of 10

2nd Test marks out of 10: England and West Indies

1st Test marks out of ten: England and West Indies

Guantanamo Cricket Club and an opening bowler named...Stalin

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

2nd Test: England vs West Indies - West Indies marks out of 10

Adrian Barath - 2: Lucky to get 0 in the 1st innings and doesn't even look close to being a Test opener. Whatever happened to the teenager who made that impressive hundred on debut at The Gabba?

Kieran Powell - 4: Looked decent enough in scoring 33 in the 1st innings but failed second time around and is clearly a number five or six. Chris Gayle's return can not come soon enough.

Kirk Edwards - 1: The final member of the worst Test top three seen for some time on English shores. Two more failures - his tour record now stands at 20 runs from seven innings. His batting is even more sickly than the flu ridden vice-captain.

Darren Bravo – 4: Even Lara didn’t have to contend with a top three as limited as this; it certainly seems to be getting to Bravo if his dismissals here are anything to go by. The return of Gayle and Sarwan would allow this sublime talent to flourish.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 5: For once, Shiv left the heroics to others as Swann trapped him in front for 46 on day one and he fell hooking against the new ball – having been forced to come in at four due to the illness of Edwards – second time around.

Marlon Samuels – 9: Has the languid Samuels finally arrived as a Test batsman 12 years after his debut? It certainly looked so here. His hundred was a glorious knock made all the more special given that his side had been 131 for six and he probably would have got another if he hadn’t run out of partners in the 2nd innings. If that wasn’t enough, his DRS assisted send-off to Swann was the comic moment of the game.

Dinesh Ramdin – 4: After his resistance at Lord’s he was beaten for pace by Bresnan early on in both innings here, but again looked secure with the gloves.

Darren Sammy – 8: Yes, he rode his luck, but there cannot have been many more popular hundreds by visiting captains. It forced some of the ridiculous criticism he received before this match back down the throats of his accusers. His value as a captain, galvanising force and contributions here and there with bat and ball justify his place at this stage of his side's development.

Kemar Roach – 5: Made to pay twice for his alarming propensity of bowling no-balls, which could have changed the shape of the game as England replied to 370, but roared back with the second new ball to give Bairstow a torrid baptism with short ball.

Shane Shillingford - 3: England made a concerted attempt to get after him and it succeeded with the spinner going at over four runs per over.

Ravi Rampaul – 8: The extra timber he is carrying due to recent illness means he bears an uncanny resemblance to Masood from EastEnders, but he is certainly a canny operator with the ball and brought his side back into the match with an excellent spell on the third morning.

Where next?

2nd Test: England vs West Indies - England marks out of 10

1st Test marks out of ten: England and West Indies

King Viv - The Greatest ODI innings ever: vs England, Old Trafford 1984

An all-time West Indies Test XI

England marks out of ten for Pakistan ODI series

 
Thank God it's over. We have never been so glad to see the end of an English summer of cricket than this one. This is a shame as the claim and counter-claim of corruption and match-fixing overshadowed what was actually a thrilling one day series. Pakistan's fightback at The Oval and Lord's saw some wonderful bowling from Umar Gul and the momentum seemed to be with Shahid Afridi's side as the tourists again produced brilliance from confusion.

But the toss proved crucial at the Rose Bowl yesterday and despite illness and injury besetting England's innings, another wonderful century from Eoin Morgan and an exhibition of off-spin bowling from Graeme Swann saw England home.

So with the World Cup on the horizon, how did the England players rate during the series and what are their prospects of making the cut for the XV who will travel to the subcontinent?

Andrew Strauss - 9.5 (317 runs at 63.40, SR 93.23, 1 100, 2 50s, HS 126): The captain continued his transformation as a ODI batsman and although he is not quite in the Marcus Trescothick league yet he is getting closer. Has expanded his repertoire of strokes and a strike rate of 93 together with the volume of runs shows that Strauss is consistently giving England good and fast starts. Showed great dignity and restraint in the face of Ijaz Butt's ridiculous accusations. Reverse Sweep WC rating - On the plane despite what Messrs Gough, Stewart and Pringle may think

Steven Davies - 8 (197 runs at 39.40, SR 105.91, 1 50, HS 87): The latest wicketkeeper off the production line impressed throughout the series with bat and gloves. Just under 200 runs at over a run a ball would seem to suggest that the Surrey keeper will pip Kieswetter and Prior to the gloves for the World Cup. However, with the revolving door of wicketkeepers in the England ODI side, Davies won't rest easy until he is on the plane.Reverse Sweep WC rating: Leading the race to the departure gate ahead of Kieswetter and Prior

Jonathan Trott - 6 (131 runs at 26.20, SR 72.37, 2 50s, HS 69): Continued to confound the critics who doubt his suitability for ODI cricket in the first two matches at least. Then seemed to get unsettled by what was happening off the pitch and went into his shell for the last three games. Would seem to have an alternative career as a wrestler if his spat with Wahab Riaz is anything to go by. Reverse Sweep WC rating: Incredibly for a batsman who averages just under 50 in ODI, Trott is likely to lose a straight race with Bell to the final batting place on the plane

Paul Collingwood - 4 (84 runs at 21.00, SR 65.11, HS 47): Judging by his migraine yesterday, Colly is just as worried about his dire form as England supporters are beginning to be. His 18 ball four at Lord's was just horrible. But typically, he returned from his darkened room renewed to resume his innings and make a crucial battling 47 in the decider yesterday to help resurrect England's innings with Morgan. Reverse Sweep WC rating: Needs to regain form and confidence in Australia, but it would seem unthinkable that Lieutenant Colly would not take up his seat next to the skipper on the plane to India

Ian Bell - 5 (55 runs at 27.50, SR 59.13, HS 28): Came back in for the last two matches and looked his usual classy self in difficult conditions for batting. But just like the old Bell managed to get out when he had done all the hard work. Reverse Sweep WC rating: Bell's class and ability to play in different gears would seem to put him ahead of Trott in the queue at the departure gate

Eoin Morgan - 9 (225 runs at 56.25, SR 94.14, 1 100, 1 50, HS 107*): Scored his third brilliant ODI hundred of the year yesterday to confirm his position as one of the best limited overs batsman currently operating in world cricket. Has bottle, skill and a capacity for the unexpected in abundance. Reverse Sweep WC rating: On the plane in one of the first-class seats

Ravi Bopara - 6 (58 runs at 29.00, SR 105.45, HS 35*): His 35* in the first ODI was just the sort of innings that Bopara should be playing at number six. Thereafter he struggled, giving his wicket away at a crucial time in the second match and getting bogged down when promoted to four at The Oval before being dropped for the final two matches. Reverse Sweep WC rating: Would seem the best suited in the squad for the number six role but could yet miss out to Trott and Bell or even Wright

Luke Wright - 7 (49 runs at 49.00, SR 70.00, HS 48*; 1 wicket at 34.00, ER 4.25 BB 1/16): Only played two matches but batted well in a losing cause at The Oval and then bowled a good spell in the decider yesterday to keep him in the mix for the final XV. Reverse Sweep WC rating: Has kept himself in contention but may be left behind at the Terminal in the final reckoning

Michael Yardy - 4 (3 wickets at 57.66, ER 5.96, BB 2/49; 27 runs at 13.50, SR 87.09, HS 13*): Held his nerve at Headingley to see England over the line in a tight finish but disappointed with the ball and proved expensive. Could be a liability at the World Cup. Reverse Sweep WC rating: Samit Patel is more likely to get wickets and is a better batsman, so Yardy could be a Weight Watchers diet away from losing his spot

Tim Bresnan - 5 (7 wickets at 36.85, ER 5.90, BB 3/51; 30 runs at 10.00, SR 111.11, HS 18*): Useful cameos with the bat at Headingley and the Rose Bowl. Bowled well at The Oval, but other than that was expensive. Only took one wicket in five matches with the new ball, which suggests England's strategy of opening the bowling with Bresnan needs reviewing before the World Cup. Reverse Sweep WC rating: An average of 52 with the ball and economy rate of 5.6 in 12 ODIs this summer should see Bresnan dropped for the World Cup, but the England selectors seem to like him...

Graeme Swann - 9 (11 wickets at 19.00, ER 4.44, BB 4/37):Was once again England's star with the ball and was sublime in the last two matches with the balls to bowl Mohammad Yousuf and Fawad Alam at the Rose Bowl worthy of the maestro Shane Warne himself. England's key weapon for the World Cup. Reverse Sweep WC rating: On the plane in one of the best two seats with Morgan

Stuart Broad - 7 (11 wickets at 22.63, ER 5.41, BB 4/81): Took wickets regularly throughout the series and was England's leading wicket taker along with Swann, but was expensive at times especially at Headingley. Bowled beautifully in the decider yesterday to hand the momentum back to his side. Reverse Sweep WC rating: On the plane and in the XI

James Anderson - 8 (6 wickets at 29.50, ER 3.93, BB 3/26): Transformed from the hesitant and unhappy Anderson of earlier in the summer and whilst he didn't get the volume of wickets he deserved, Anderson kept things tight and had the best economy rate of the England bowlers. Reverse Sweep WC rating: On the plane and in the XI 

The Worst XI of the World T20

Like everyone else, we'll be selecting our best XI of the tournament too, but watching Michael Clarke's scratchy innings in the final yesterday made us think what the worst XI of the competition should be. We deliberately haven't included any players from the four minnows of Afghanistan, Ireland, Zimbabwe or even Bangladesh as that would be a bit obvious and a tad unfair.

Instead we have come up with an XI of players who came to the Caribbean with high reputations and profiles, and who then flopped like Gordon Brown in the UK General Election. Here we go:

Murali Vijay (India) - Scored 48 against Afghanistan, but then only nine runs in total against South Africa, Australia and West Indies thereafter. Not keen on short bowling and a poor replacement for Sehwag. Just edges the equally disappointing Gambhir.

Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - The old codger scored 15 runs in six innings  and the longer he refuses to retire the more he besmirches our memories of a once great player. It's way past time for the knackers yard, Sanath.

Michael Clarke (Australia, Captain) - A passenger at T20, he scored 92 runs in seven innings at a paltry strike rate of 81. In this XI (unlike the Australian line-up) there would be no hiding place for the first T20 non-playing captain.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) - His wretched form from the IPL continued with only 71 runs from six innings. The champ of last year's World T20 turned into one of the chumps of this one.

Yuvraj Singh (India) - A shadow of his former self in all but his stomach, which seems to have blown to at least five bellies. Another player who hugely disappointed for India. A change in attitude and diet are required otherwise he will lose his place. 

Kieron Pollard (West Indies)- The best all-rounder in the IPl was an absolute disaster here. 47 runs at 9.40 with the bat and only one wicket with a horrendous economy rate of 11.00 with the ball. His jet lag from the flight back from India seems to have lasted for three weeks.

Mark Boucher (South Africa) - Like the rest of his side, the much vaunted keeper had a poor tournament here with only 29 runs in five innings.

Ravindra Jadeja (India) - If he was Pakistani there would be a parliamentary enquiry into his performances. His ineptitude with ball and bat was only surpassed by fielding that Stevie Wonder sans his guide dog would have been ashamed of. Didn't even have the excuse of being fatigued from the IPL.

Zaheer Khan (India) - The normally reliable Khan had a nightmare with only two wickets in his three matches. Even worse was his economy rate of 9.54. Was he still suffering from the disappointment of Mumbai's IPL final loss?

Mohammad Sami (Pakistan) - Six wickets in three games sounds okay until you see the economy rate of 9.81. Ouch!

Ravi Rampaul (West Indies) - Like the majority of the hosts, Rampaul had a torrid time with an economy rate of 11.50 from his two matches.