England Tri-Series player ratings: Who impressed and who struggled against Pakistan and Sri Lanka?

By William Munt

Having arrived for their Tri-Series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in good form, England return home having suffered three defeats and failing to reach the final.

With the start of the 2027 ODI World Cup now less than a year away, defeats against sides ranked fourth and sixth in the world probably weren’t high up on England’s list of ideal preparation.

Who did manage to show their worth though, as England twice managed to steal defeat from the jaws of victory, and who might be left looking over their shoulder?

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Tom Banton (185 runs @ 46.25) – 7/10

His stock continued to rise with three more half-centuries to back up his maiden ODI century at the backend of the English summer.

He may rue not converting these starts though and ending the series with a highest score of only 74.

Ben Duckett (346 runs @ 86.5) – 8/10

A strong player of spin and quietened his doubters with two centuries to conclude the series.

His 105 against Pakistan amidst an England collapse and 167 against Sri Lanka will go a long way to cementing his spot in the ODI set up ahead of the World Cup.

Joe Root (107 runs @ 35.67) – 6/10

Steady as always, making a couple of starts and contributing 69 against Sri Lanka.

He will have been disappointed with his dismissal against the aforementioned opponents though and did not bat in the final game, sliding down the order to give England’s power-hitters maximum time at the crease.

Harry Brook (252 runs @ 63) – 7/10

Produced arguably England’s greatest ODI innings of all time, when he hammered 202 against Sri Lanka, the highest score by an England batter and fastest double-century in the format.

As captain, he will have been deeply frustrated though by his side’s inability to close out this game and their second against Pakistan. 

Jordan Cox (67 runs @ 22.33) – 4/10

Struggled with the bat and didn’t fare too much better with the gloves, dropping two catches in the first game.

Finished off the series with a sprightly 43 and good catch down the leg side to remove the dangerous Kusal Mendis.

Sam Curran (90 runs @ 45 and 4 wickets @ 54.75) – 4/10

Although his recent injury lay-off provides some mitigation, Curran struggled to be effective with the ball and was very expensive in the first two games, becoming the first England bowler to ship more than 100 runs in an ODI.

He came back well in the latter games to his credit and made a couple of contributions with the bat. 

Will Jacks (128 runs @ 42.67 and 2 wickets @ 70) – 6/10

Continues to show his worth as England’s finisher, most noticeably with a brutal 66* against Sri Lanka.

He also bowls handy overs and picked up the valuable wicket of Babar Azam in the first game. Bowled better than his figures suggest.

Jamie Overton (5 wickets @ 31.6) – 5/10

Did a decent job in the middle overs, going at under a run a ball for the series.

Although he was expensive in the run-fest against Sri Lanka, he was economical in his other two appearances and picked up three wickets in the second encounter with Pakistan.

Liam Dawson (7 wickets @ 21.43) – 7/10

Arguably the pick of England’s bowlers, picking up seven wickets in three games with an economy of just 5.

An accurate bowler that England can always rely on to bring control and squeeze opposition batters in the middle overs.

Gus Atkinson (4 wickets @ 54.25) – 4/10

After picking up a wicket with his first ball of the series, he struggled to provide control.

He claimed four wickets across his four matches, but was rather expensive in doing so. With the bat, he did contribute a valuable 36* in England’s second defeat to Pakistan. 

Sonny Baker (5 wickets @ 28) – 4/10

Picked up five wickets in two games, but was very expensive, as he has been in his ODI career so far.

Particularly leaked runs at the death. 

Josh Tongue (3 wickets @ 26.33) – 4/10

Proved expensive in his only game, but showed flashes of what he can do.

Dismissed Kamindu Mendis with a beauty and hit the stumps twice to remove the Sri Lankan lower order, but ultimately went for the six that sealed Sri Lanka’s breath-taking chase. 

Henry Crocombe (2 wickets @ 42) – 3/10

Picked up a couple of wickets in his first taste of international cricket, albeit expensively.

Thrown in at the deep end against Pakistan and failed to close out the game in tough circumstances.

Adil Rashid (1 wicket @ 55) – 3/10

Not overly effective in his solitary game, with Pakistan and particularly Hasan Nawaz getting after him.

READ MORE: Five things we learned from England’s Tri-Series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka