England first-Test player ratings: Joe Root 1-0 down against Kane Williamson

England wrapped up victory half way through day four of the first Test against New Zealand. Brydon Carse was named man of the match for his figures of four for 64 in the first innings and six for 42 in the second. Here’s how we rated the tourists.

Zak Crawley

A poor Test. Struggles early against swing and seam and has an achillies heel against spin. He needs to prove he is more than a player for flat conditions. 
3/10

Ben Duckett

His first thought is “hit it”. If he has a second thought, it is “hit it harder”. New Zealand bowled short and he took the bait, falling to the bouncer in both innings. He always gives England starts but those hook and pull shots on big Aussie grounds might be an issue.
6/10

Jacob Bethell

He shaped up well in difficult circumstances in the first innings but the fact he made a decent impression while scoring ten shows how low expectations were in his first ever attempt at being a no 3. A freewheeling fifty to see England home showed his innate ball striking ability. He should stay in the side for the series.
6/10

Joe Root

Quiet 150th Test for England’s main man but it was a good sign they posted 499 when he made nought. Normally if Root fails, England fail. Williamson 1-0 up in their series head-to-head.
4/10

Harry Brook

Yes he was dropped five times on his way to 171 and used up a year’s worth of luck but he still made the running at a difficult time when England were 71 for four. He hits it so hard that straightforward catches are perhaps just that one per cent harder. Only Herbert Sutcliffe now has a better average for any England batsman who has played 20 innings. What would we do without Yorkshire?
8/10

Ollie Pope

Barely put a foot wrong standing back to the seamers. He looked a happier player at No 6 too. Suspect he either sinks or swims at No 3 next summer against India but he did England a turn as emergency keeper and can do the job for the rest of the series.
7/10

Ben Stokes

An extra mark for his captaincy and looking like his old self. No doubt his tactical tinkering lured New Zealand into errors in the first innings. His 80 was an old fashioned Stokes knock, with his head down and playing the situation. Nobody plays situations better than Stokes.
7/10

Chris Woakes

Poor with the new ball on day one and chipped in with a single run but his two wickets in two balls on day three cracked open the Test for England. Can he go to Australia? That depends on the fitness of others.
6/10

Gus Atkinson

Had a strange Test. Did not bowl badly but struggled with no balls, and faded as a force as the game wore on. Is less effective as a leg theory bowler than when pitching it up and using his skills. Long term, he is a Woakes replacement but with a bit more pace.
6/10

Brydon Carse

Has not put a foot wrong in three Tests and is cutting a mature figure in the attack. Bowls his heart out for Stokes, never leaves the field for a breather in the dressing room and makes life very uncomfortable for batsmen with his in-the-ribs bounce and pace. Steve Harmison described him as England’s best ever No 10 and he lived up to that with three sixes.
9/10

Shoaib Bashir

Four-wicket haul in the first innings was remarkable and New Zealand learned by not letting him settle in the second innings. Continues to bowl bad balls but there was better line to the right handers and his bounce surprised New Zealand. The learning curve continues.
6/10