PLAYER RATINGS: Ben Stokes' superhuman effort drags England over the line

The Cricketer runs the rule over the performances of all 22 players during the second Test between South Africa and England at Newlands...

ENGLAND

Zak Crawley (4 & 25): The Kent batsman is raw and was thrown in at the deep end against Vernon Philander after Rory Burns’ ankle injury. Nicked off twice, though played some shots in the second innings. A remarkable catch to dismiss Nortje late on. 5

Dom Sibley (34 & 133*): A week to remember for the Warwickshire batsman. Made his highest Test score in the first innings and then bettered it with a terrific, gutsy century. 9

Joe Denly (38 & 31; 2-42): Another decent Test for the Kent batsman, who looked assured in both innings without going on to make the big score he continues to threaten. Threatened with his leg-spin. 7

Joe Root (35 & 61; 0-4 & 0-11): Undone by fine deliveries in both innings, once by Anrich Nortje and then by Dwaine Pretorius. Batted beautifully as England went about setting up a declaration. One of his better games as captain, with little more he could have tried. Some inspired, innovative fields pulled his side over the line. 8

Ben Stokes (47 & 72; 0-34 & 3-35): Played a poor shot to cause his first innings dismissal, but did everything and more for the cause, including six slip catches and a blockbuster 46-ball 72. A terrific spell on the fourth evening deserved some reward, which finally came on the final evening. 9

Ollie Pope (61* & 3): It feels a long time since his first innings rescue act. He played beautifully to marshal England’s tail towards a useful total. An international cricketer for years to come. 7

Jos Buttler (29 & 23): One tough missed stumping chance apart off Quinton de Kock, Buttler had a solid game behind the stumps. Cameos in both innings. 6

Sam Curran (9 & 13; 2-39 & 1-37): Not at his best with the ball, given the lack of swing on offer, but still found a way. Took the key wickets of de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen in the first innings, and then Pieter Malan in the second. 7

Dom Bess (0 & 0; 1-62 & 1-57): Bowled beautifully in the first innings when performing a fine holding role, before bowling nicely without much success on the final day. Overall, a really fine effort on his return to the Test side. 7

Stuart Broad (1 & 8*; 2-38 & 1-37): An extraordinary dismissal on the first day as he got his bat stuck behind his pad. Terrific with the ball as England bowled South Africa out for 223, and then had van der Dussen taken at leg slip to ignite England. 7.5

James Anderson (4; 5-40 & 2-23): Excellent in both innings. How England could have done with their talisman through the middle session on the final day. Quietened any doubters as he took his 28th five-wicket haul. 8

^{Pieter Malan was exceptional on debut}

SOUTH AFRICA

Pieter Malan (5 & 84): One of the great Test debuts from the 30-year-old. Technically superb and mentally indomitable. Crazy that he had never played international cricket until now, but will surely get a run now. Deserved a hundred. 8.5

Dean Elgar (88 & 34): Another solid Test from a fine opening batsman. A self-confessed “brain fart” ended his first innings, before he was given out both on the field and on review on the day. A close call… 8

Zubayr Hamza (5 & 18): Looks a neat player, but undone by Broad and Anderson. Not the first and almost certainly not the last. Survived well for a while in the penultimate evening. 5

Faf du Plessis (1 & 19): Not the captain’s finest Test. Edged to Stokes in the first innings, before picking out midwicket with an inexplicable sweep shot on the final day. Some bemusing decisions in England’s second innings. 4

Rassie van der Dussen (68 & 17): Two cracking efforts from a man in just his second Test. His first innings knock might have been numerically greater, but his resistance on the final day was magnificent. Didn't deserve to lose. 8

Quinton de Kock (20 & 50): Rained himself in superbly in conjunction with van der Dussen, after an indifferent game with bat and gloves on the first four days, but then somehow picked out midwicket with a short long-hop. 7.5

Vernon Philander (17 & 8; 2-46 & 0-24): Struggled as the game wore on, with the surface offering less and less by the session for the seamers. All over England’s top order on the first morning. 7

Dwaine Pretorius (4 & 0; 2-26 & 1-56): A fine delivery to dismiss Root in his second innings and kept it tight for du Plessis. Not much in it for him. 6

Keshav Maharaj (4 & 2; 1-68 & 2-160): Plugged away in both innings but England played him very well both times, refusing to engage when he tried to dry up the runs by bowling over the wicket into the rough. 5

Kagiso Rabada: (0 & 3*; 3-68 & 2-69): Two intriguing battles with Crawley as neither took a backward step, though not quite at his best. Still five wickets, though, for the leader of the attack. 7

Anrich Nortje (4 & 0; 2-56 & 3-61): Restricted by illness as the game wore on but bowled quickly once again. His ball to bounce out Root a particular highlight. 7.5