Ashes 2013 Report Card: England

Alastair Cook - C+

Matches: 5 Batting Average: 27.70 Bowling Average: N/A

After dominating down-under, Cook was firmly muzzled by Australia on home turf. Front leg problems banished, the skipper's vulnerability now lies with the ball going across him. Captaincy wise, Cook remains cautious yet successful with England unbeaten in 13 Tests.

Joe Root - C+

Matches: 5 Batting Average: 37.66 Bowling Average: 11.33

The Yorkshireman's class is undoubted but questions remain over where his role lies in this classy batting line-up. His 180 at Lord's was quality exemplified but the 22 year old struggled to tame neither the new ball nor the challenge presented by Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris' angles on the crease. No longer scared by Warner fracas.

Jonathan Trott - C-

Matches: 5 Batting Average: 29.30 Bowling Average: 28.00

England's Mr Dependable became unreliable in the extreme during a series he will be frustrated not to have made his own. Mental toughness and uncanny shot selection were absent from Trott's artillery while the swinging ball also undid him. Involved in one of the most controversial moments of the series after a decision review system clanger at Trent Bridge.

Kevin Pietersen - C

Matches: 5 Batting Average: 38.80 Bowling Average: N/A

Another whose performances ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous. We only saw brief shades of Pietersen's best amid a series where he scored the two slowest half-centuries of his career. Cameo at the Oval was spectacular but will need to improve in time for his 100<sup>th Test in Brisbane.

Ian Bell - A+

Matches: 5 Batting Average: 62.44 Bowling Average: N/A

While others faltered, spluttered and stuttered on desperately slow tracks, Bell excelled with three hundreds and two fifties, including a stunning knock to the turn game around at Trent Bridge - surely the best of his career. Now a four-time Ashes winner with England and rightfully man of the series.

Jonny Bairstow - D-

Matches: 4 Batting Average: 29.00 Bowling Average: N/A

You would be hard pressed to pinpoint where Bairstow's telling contribution came in the opening four Test matches in which England won three. Someway short of the quality required as a Test No.6 and while he produced runs on his return to Yorkshire, the knock only works to emphasise the defect in quality.

Chris Woakes - D

Matches: 1 Batting Average: 42.00 Bowling Average: 96.00

Questions over why Woakes was called up in the first place for the Oval Test in place of Chris Tremlett, not least with a lifeless pitch on offer, are for another day but the Warwickshire man acquitted himself as best he could. Whether he represents a genuine Test-standard third seamer may be in doubt but his batting prowess could one day prove crucial.

Matt Prior - C-

Matches: 5 Batting Average: 19.00 Bowling Average: N/A

A hopelessly quiet series with the bat did little to enhance his status as the best wicket-keeper batsman around with Australia laying traps which Prior all too often fell into. Almost faultless with the gloves.

Stuart Broad - A-

Matches: 5 Batting Average: 25.57 Bowling Average: 27.45

Produced both the series' most talked about moment and break-taking display. At Trent Bridge he clearly edged Ashton Agar to Michael Clarke at first slip, was given not out but chose not to walk. The spirit of cricket was splashed over the front and back pages as was Broad's 11 for 121 performance at Durham which turned the match on its' head.

Graeme Swann - B+

Matches: 5 Batting Average: 25.20 Bowling Average: 29.03

Fulfilled the old bowlers adage of bowling worse than his figures suggest. For all the moisture-sapped pitches in the series, Swann wasn't able to generate tremendous turn despite finishing as the series' leading wicket-taker. Claiming 9 for 122 at Lord's was a rare bright spark. As ever, his reliability with the bat remains constant.

Tim Bresnan - B-

Matches: 3 Batting Average: 25.75 Bowling Average: 29.60

Cemented his status as England's third seam option as he led his country to two wins in three matches, taking the crucial wicket of Warner to spark an Australian collapse at Durham. His contribution with the bat has been sporadic in Tests but at Chester-le-street helped secure a win with his highest score for two years.

James Anderson - B

Matches: 5 Batting Average: 7.20 Bowling Average: 29.59

At his devastating best at Trent Bridge where the ball was swinging around corners but remains stumped on surfaces offering little and conditions favouring batting. Was eventually out bowled by Broad in the series and his effectiveness was on the wane by the final two Tests. Surpassed Bob Wills to become England's second most successful bowler.

Steven Finn - E

Matches: 1 Batting Average: 2.00 Bowling Average: 58.50

Two wickets in Australia's first innings at Trent Bridge but after that produced little to be excited about. Bowled himself out of the series thereafter as his length sat up for the Australian batsman. A significant step back in his international aspirations.

Simon Kerrigan - F

Matches: 1 Batting Average: - Bowling Average: -

With Monty Panesar out of contention as he continues to manage off the field problems, Kerrigan, the highest wicket-taking spinner in the County Championship, was introduced into the side, and faltered badly. Was brutally attacked by Shane Watson in the first innings at the Oval and didn't bowl all in the second. The England Test-match scrapheap awaits.