England triumph 4-1 in ODI series against Pakistan
Monday 5 September 2016 11:50, UK
A terrific summer of one-day cricket for England ended on a slightly sour note, with defeat to Pakistan by four wickets in the final ODI of the series in Cardiff.
But generally England's sensational white-ball form has continued, the side scaling new heights in an emphatic 4-1 series victory, including a world record ODI score of 444-3 and a highest individual score by an England batsman; Alex Hales' 171.
Sky Sports one-day specialist Nick Knight rates the 15 players to contribute to the team triumph over Pakistan. Read on for his scores...
Jason Roy - 7/10
181 runs @ 36.20 - two fifties; Highest Score 87
Completed what has been an exceptionally good summer of one-day cricket with a couple of important half centuries, though didn't quite kick on to that big score.
But he is developing nicely as a player and is forming a quite brilliant opening partnership with Alex Hales.
Alex Hales - 7/10
223 runs @ 44.60 - one hundred; HS 171
One standout innings; his exceptional 171 at Trent Bridge - a record highest by an England batsman in ODIs - but he didn't contribute too much beyond that.
Similar to Roy, I like the way his one-day game is developing; he has a much more all-round game now. He is in a position where he can really kick on.
Joe Root - 9/10
274 runs @ 54.80 - three fifties; HS 89
One wicket @ 26.00; Econ: 6.50
Man of the series. Three fifties in the series; he will be disappointed he hasn't converted a couple of those into hundreds, but he is an exceptionally good player and is incredibly consistent.
If England do lose one of their big-hitters up top early, he holds things together, but also keeps the score ticking over. He must be a joy to bat with.
Eoin Morgan - 7/10
179 runs @ 59.66 - two fifties; HS 68
Tailed away a little bit at the end of the series, otherwise he'd have scored higher. He still finishes the series with an average near on 60 which shows that he started the series so well.
It's great for him that he has returned to form, great for the team too, though I still think his best form is somewhere down the line.
Ben Stokes - 9/10
201 runs @ 67.00 - two fifties; HS 75
One wicket @ 76.00; Econ: 4.67
I've been hugely impressed with Ben batting in at No 5. In the last two games he showed a lot of maturity in the way that he constructed his innings, particularly in Cardiff where he started with just 11 runs off 32 balls and finished with 75 off 76.
It shows that he is thinking a lot more about the importance of his role in this one-day side. Showed flashes with the ball, but understandably used sparingly after injury.
Jos Buttler - 7/10
94 runs @ 94.00 - one fifty; HS 90no
This is a difficult one. I've only given him seven, because again, he's only had one major contribution - although what a contribution it was; a quite brilliant 90 at Trent Bridge.
Injured since, for the last two games, though my hunch is that had he played a full part in the series and been fully fit, he would have made more telling contributions. He is so important to this side!
Moeen Ali - 7/10
66 runs @ N/A - HS 45no
Three wickets @ 53.00; Econ: 4.67
I have been really impressed with what I've seen from him towards the end of this series compared to Sri Lanka earlier this summer.
He has bowled at a better pace; that little bit slower and is getting more purchase from the pitch as a result. It seems like he now understands the areas he needs to improve in order to be a wicket-taker, rather than just do a good holding job for the team.
Chris Woakes - 9/10
17 runs @ 17.00 - HS 10
Nine wickets @ 19.22; Econ: 5.32
Leading wicket-taker in the series; an outstanding end to an outstanding summer. He impressed with the new ball, in the middle overs, and at the death.
He has that canny wicket-taking ability. He picked up another 4-for in this series; he has three now in the last year for England.
Adil Rashid - 9/10
Eight wickets @ 27.75; Econ: 5.69
I've given him a nine because he is a hugely important player for this team in terms of his wicket-taking potential in the middle overs.
It was no surprise really that the one game England struggled to take wickets during that period was the one they lost in Cardiff when Rashid wasn't playing.
Liam Plunkett - 8/10
Five wickets @ 38.60; Econ: 5.51
Big fan! Getting better and better as a one-day player as he now feels like an essential part of this team. So often in those middle overs he is called upon to break a partnership and he delivers.
A big, tall, strong lad; he also took some of the best catches you will ever wish to see in this series. A three-dimensional player, as he can also whack it with the bat at the end of the innings.
Mark Wood - 7/10
Seven wickets @ 33.42; Econ: 5.85
Though he does leak some boundaries, he has that wicket-taking potential which is so essential to England competing well in the Champions Trophy next summer. I've given him a seven, but that mark will only rise over the next 12 months.
What's important is he continues to get games under his belt after so long out to injury. He brings a great deal of pace to the team - touching 95mph in this series - and is a brilliant addition to this side.
Jonny Bairstow - 7/10
94 runs @ 47.00 - one fifty; HS 61
He is hugely confident given what he has achieved already this summer and put in a man-of-the-match performance at Headingley, showing a lot of character having only been picked to play 30 minutes before the start.
It's difficult to score him any higher having only played two games, but he is a very able deputy to Buttler. He'll be desperate to force his way into England's first choice team - it's a great position for England to be in.
David Willey - 5/10
Zero wickets @ N/A; Econ: 4.50
Perhaps five is a bit harsh, as he is only just coming back from injury and played only two games. Naturally it is going to take a little while to get back to the high standards he has set for himself.
But I do think he is one of the first picks for England in this bowling line-up. It's becoming incredibly competitive for spaces, but Willey has that left-arm option, he swings it, and takes early wickets.
Chris Jordan - 6/10
Two wickets @ 47.00; Econ: 5.75
The best is yet to come from him. We know what he can do at the death, but he needs to contribute a little more in those middle overs.
He is worth investing the time in though as he is another three-dimensional player. There's a few in the England side now, but he is high up on the list of them.
Liam Dawson - 6/10
Two wickets @ 35.00; Econ: 8.75
He only played one game and there were encouraging signs from his debut. He looks to have wicket-taking potential, and was supported by his skipper with Morgan setting aggressive fields.
He leaked boundaries, but Cardiff is a difficult ground to play at as a spinner with the short straight boundaries. I think it might just be the start for him - I've got a hunch he'll go on the winter tours, he is the kind of character the England set-up like.
Don't miss the only Twenty20 International between England and Pakistan in the Super Series - that's live this Wednesday from 6pm on Sky Sports 1.
