PLAYER RATINGS: Mark Wood dazzles and Joe Root leads from the front in Johannesburg

The Cricketer runs the rule over the individual performances of the English and South African players after the tourists won by 191 runs at the Wanderers...

• Scorecard
• Day 4 talking points
• Report

SOUTH AFRICA

Dean Elgar (26 & 24): For a man of Elgar’s staying power, these were two cheap dismissals. Both against Stokes, both attempting shots off the back foot - and, on both occasions - his team needed more. 4

Pieter Malan (15 & 22): Has the durability, occupying the crease more more than an hour in each innings at Joburg. But the Proteas will still not be convinced he is the man for the long term. 3.5

Rassie van der Dussen (0 & 98): Nicked off to Curran after seven balls in the first innings but seemed to be making amends in the second with a swashbuckling 98 before he was snared by Wood’s trap at short extra cover. 7

Faf du Plessis (3 & 35): The skipper has not been in good form during the series but saved his gritty best until last in the fourth innings here. Done by a delivery from Stokes which did not get up off the Wanderers surface. One sensational catch at slip. 4

Quinton de Kock (76 & 39): South Africa’s best batsman by quite some time over the course of the series. Continues to get out through over aggressive strokes. Kept well. 7.5

Tavemba Bavuma (6 & 27): Done by a snorter from Broad in the second innings. Hardley the circumstances in which he could prove he belongs. 4

Vernon Philander (4 & 10; 2-50 & 0-1): The Surgeon’s swansong was butchered by a hamstring tear. 5

Dwaine Pretorius (37 & 2; 0-34 & 2-87): One good spell during England’s second innings aside, looked a fairly limp option with the ball in a five-pronged seam attack. Encouraging with the bat first time around. 4.5

Anrich Nortje (6 & 4; 5-110 & 2-61): Remains the one South African bowler in this series to look really threatening. Quick, aggressive, incisive and - with bat in hand - a nuisance to England. 7.5

Beuran Hendricks (5* & 4; 1-111 & 5-64): Picked up wickets as England tried to up the ante in the second innings, simply by showing an element of disciplined line and length. 6

Dane Paterson (4 & 0*; 2-86 & 1-18): Part of a very inexperienced attack. Put in the hard yards for only occasional reward. 4.5

^{Quinton de Kock has been in good form for South Africa}

ENGLAND

Dom Sibley (44 & 44): Resolute, determined and capable of occupying the crease. There is a lot to be optimistic about when it comes to England’s latest opening pair. 6.5

Zak Crawley (66 & 24): Bettered his Test best for the fifth consecutive innings - equalling a record - and made his first half-century in the format. Seems to have found his rhythm at international level. Caught well. 7

Joe Denly (27 & 8; DNB & 0-19): Question marks will again hang over his place in the side after that big score again remained elusive. A safe pair of hands in the gully and at backward point. 3.5

Joe Root (59 & 58; DNB & 0-37): The England captain has come into his own from a leadership perspective as this tour has gone on. And two half-centuries in this match added up to a very handy four days’ work. 8

Ben Stokes (2 & 28; 2-47 & 2-47): Didn’t make waves with the bat but was crucial with the ball, making crucial breakthroughs at critical times and catching well behind the wicket. Man of the series. 7

Ollie Pope (56 & 11): Another half-century once again illustrated just how talented the Surrey youngster is. That hanging cut over point, my word! 7

Jos Buttler (20 & 8): Will his batting returns be enough to warrant a place on the trip to Sri Lanka? 3.5

Sam Curran (0 & 35; 1-25 & 0-38): A quiet game for Curran, who did not achieve the swing with the new ball which England might have hoped for. A dreadful shot first ball in the first innings preceded an entertaining cameo in the second. 5

Chris Woakes (32 & 0; 2-38 & 1-47): Always troubled the South African batsmen, and his first-innings 32 - which steadied a leaking ship - was pretty important, too. 7

Mark Wood (35* & 18; 5-46 & 4-54): England’s greatest allrounder cranked up the pace and thrilled with bat in hand too. If his country can keep him fit, in this form Wood will always be a matchwinner. 9

Stuart Broad (43 & 1*; 0-27 & 2-26): Set the tone for the game with a brilliant batting performance in the first innings. Produced the ball of the match to dismiss Bavuma on day four. 7

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