England’s Test Series Victory Against New Zealand: Player Ratings Revealed

England pulled off an impressive series win against New Zealand, leaving fans excited about the team’s future. While several players shone with standout performances, not everyone had their best outing. Here’s a breakdown of how each England player performed during the series.

### Zak Crawley – 3/10
Zak Crawley had a tough time at the crease, trying to regain form by hitting aggressively. He made history by becoming just the second player after Chris Gayle to hit a six in the first over of a Test match. However, two more low scores highlighted his ongoing struggles against New Zealand’s bowling attack.

### Ben Duckett – 7/10
Ben Duckett had a mixed series. After a disappointing duck in the first innings, he bounced back with a well-crafted 92 in the second. Still, his inability to turn good starts into centuries remains an issue he’ll want to address moving forward.

### Jacob Bethell – 7.5/10
The young talent Jacob Bethell had a memorable outing. Despite being dismissed cheaply on the first day, he showcased his skills with a brilliant 96 in the second innings — his highest score in first-class cricket so far. England may have discovered another rising star in Bethell.

### Joe Root – 7/10
Joe Root, as always, delivered when it mattered. Although he played an uncharacteristic loose shot early on, he made up for it with his 36th Test century. His cheeky reverse scoop to reach the milestone was a highlight of the match.

### Harry Brook – 9/10
Harry Brook was the standout performer of the series. His breathtaking counter-attacking century turned England’s first innings from 43-4 into a competitive total, effectively setting up the win. He followed that with an effortless half-century in the second innings, solidifying his reputation as one of England’s brightest talents.

### Ollie Pope – 8/10
Ollie Pope once again proved his worth at No. 6, stepping up when England needed him most. His partnership with Brook rescued England for the second consecutive Test. Behind the scenes, he quietly did his job without drawing much attention.

### Ben Stokes – 7.5/10
Captain Ben Stokes played a vital role in England’s success. He sparked New Zealand’s batting collapse by taking out Tom Latham and later enjoyed himself with a quick knock before declaring the innings. On top of that, he chipped in with three handy wickets.

### Chris Woakes – 7.5/10
Chris Woakes delivered one of his finest overseas performances by taking key wickets, including Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham, and Kane Williamson. His consistency continues to make him a reliable option for England in Test cricket.

### Gus Atkinson – 7.5/10
Gus Atkinson made headlines by securing England’s first Test hat-trick in seven years. While he conceded runs in New Zealand’s second innings, his delivery to dismiss Daryl Mitchell was nothing short of spectacular.

### Brydon Carse – 9/10
Brydon Carse was another standout performer with the ball. His relentless pace and skill were on full display as he dominated Kane Williamson on the first evening. Carse is quickly establishing himself as one of England’s most exciting fast bowlers.

### Shoaib Bashir – 6/10
Shoaib Bashir didn’t have much to do until late in New Zealand’s second innings when he was tasked with bowling into the wind as the opposition tried to score quickly. Despite the challenging conditions, he stayed composed and picked up two key wickets: Glenn Phillips and Tom Blundell.

### New Zealand Players Ratings
– **Tom Latham**: 4/10 – Struggled to make an impact at the top of the order.
– **Devon Conway**: 1/10 – A series to forget for Conway, as he failed to contribute with the bat.
– **Kane Williamson**: 5/10 – Showed glimpses of class but couldn’t deliver consistently against England’s bowlers.
– **Rachin Ravindra**: 2/10 – Fell short of expectations in both innings.
– **Daryl Mitchell**: 5.5/10 – Played a few decent knocks but couldn’t turn them into match-winning contributions.
– **Tom Blundell**: 8/10 – New Zealand’s standout performer with solid efforts behind the stumps and the bat.
– **Glenn Phillips**: 5/10 – Had moments of promise but lacked consistency.
– **Nathan Smith**: 6/10 – Worked hard but didn’t create much impact overall.
– **Matt Henry**: 6/10 – Reliable as always but couldn’t dominate England’s batting lineup.
– **Tim Southee**: 4/10 – The captain struggled to lead from the front this time around.
– **Will O’Rourke**: 6.5/10 – Showed potential but still has room for growth at this level.

England’s victory against New Zealand was a team effort, with several players stepping up at crucial moments. As they continue building momentum, fans have plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about what lies ahead for this exciting squad!