PLAYER RATINGS: Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes lead England to remarkable Trent Bridge win

The Cricketer rates the individual performances of every player during the second Test between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge

ENGLAND

Alex Lees (67 & 44): Something close to a revelation. A great pitch to bat on, but even so he has never come close to middling his cover drives like this in an England shirt. Two avoidable edges behind were the flipside of his expanded approach. 7

Zak Crawley (4 & 0): The net is closing in. Even with his mentor Rob Key as managing director of cricket, he needs a substantial score soon. Doesn't fill you with confidence at slip, either: one good catch, one drop, one he declined to go for. 2

Ollie Pope (145 & 18): His first first-class hundred north of the Thames – and it couldn't have been better timed. One note of qualification: this was about as close to an Oval wicket and outfield as you can encounter in this country outside of south London, so his defensive technique will be tested more elsewhere. The move to No.3 is working so far. 8

Joe Root (176 & 3): Presented with the quickest outfield in living memory, he touched heights of batting few Englishmen have in the history of the game. To score 176 off 211 balls while playing 'proper' cricket shots – the scoop off Southee aside – was extraordinary. Enjoyed life in the field, despite a couple of drops. 8.5

Jonny Bairstow (8 & 136): When he feathered Boult after Root and Pope's massive stand we were edging back into 'Jonny has something to prove' territory. At which point, of course, he reeled off a scintillating display of hitting in the last session which settled the match. It should go down as his trademark innings. Glorious to see him mentioned in the same breath as Gilbert Jessop! 9

Ben Stokes (46 & 75*, 2-85 & 0-62): What a game for his captaincy. Two typically Stokes-ish innings: the first unrealised; the second superb in its determination – not least when his mobility was compromised towards the end of the run-chase. England's most threatening bowler in the first innings. Harsh to say it, but already looks a more tactically astute captain than Root. 9

^{Ben Stokes hit the winning runs for England (Stu Forster/Getty Images)}

Ben Foakes (56 & 12*): Two resourceful innings, and some superb glovework on a ground where the ball moved after the bat in some very strange directions. We may have to adjust our expectations of what he can do when batting alongside the tail, though. 7.5

Stuart Broad (9 & DNB, 2-107 & 3-70): As with Potts, more of a threat in the second innings. Short-ball tactics worked a lot better than they have in the past. Deserves credit for soldiering on uncomplainingly in light of the fire which damaged his pub overnight before the second day. 6.5

Matthew Potts (3 & DNB, 1-126 & 2-32): Came in for some punishment in the first innings, but demonstrated his gritty character when Bracewell went after him in the second. Played a role in invoking New Zealand's stutter with the bat. Quite amusing that he'd run someone out before scoring a run in Test cricket himself. 6.5

Jack Leach (0* & DNB; 2-140 & 1-86): As always, never ducked the fight and kept going manfully. But when New Zealand blood a finger spinner who possesses more variation in two years' bowling than Leach has in over a decade, then it's a bit of a concern. Unlucky that Root dropped an edge off his best ball of the match, though. 4.5

James Anderson (9 & DNB, 3-62 & 2-20): Exceptional work to go for just 2.29 in the first innings when the rest were going at 3.69 and above. Stokes rationed his work in the second as he preferred the bouncer barrage from others, but still picked up two wickets. 8

^{Ollie Pope made his first hundred at No.3 for England (Stu Forster/Getty Images)}

NEW ZEALAND

Tom Latham (26 & 4): Thrust into the captaincy on the eve of the game. Two soft dismissals, some misses in the slips, and a withering defeat won't place this among his most memorable experiences. Did rotate his bowlers adeptly, though should have introduced Bracewell earlier in both innings. One and a half bowlers down, he was lost for answers on a pacy surface come the end. 2.5

Will Young (47 & 56): In all likelihood saved his spot for Headingley with two durable innings. Might have batted England out of the Test had he not run himself out through his own hesitation in that flurry of questionable decision-making from New Zealand on day four. 6

Devon Conway (46 & 52): Looked great in the first innings; merely serviceable in the second – but two missed opportunities. He made runs, while always interesting England with his step into the ball and closed face which leads to an abnormal number of inside edges. 6

Henry Nicholls (30 & 3): A difficult return from injury and Covid. Rode his luck a bit before playing a poor shot to Stokes, then a worse shot slapping Potts to point. Looks like he could do with a practice match, but he won't get one before Headingley, and looks vulnerable if Williamson is OK. 3

Daryl Mitchell (190 & 62*; 0-8 & DNB): The most improved batsman of the last two years? Certainly the most rounded in this line-up, partly on account of his Perth upbringing on bouncy wickets. Only loses a mark for two dropped chances at first slip, the one of Lees fairly easy. 9

Tom Blundell (106 & 24): Assured in front of the stumps in his second sizeable partnership of the series with Mitchell; gave it away second innings. A difficult introduction behind the stumps; got to grips with it later on. Mind you, his opposite number Foakes said this was the most extreme wobble after the bat he has ever experienced. 6.5

^{Trent Boult picked up eight wickets in the match for New Zealand (Stu Forster/Getty Images)}

Michael Bracewell (49 & 25, 3-62 & 0-60): Nerves on Test debut? No such thing! A beautiful, flowing strokemaker, who threatened to take the match away from England, only to miscue one on 25. Impressive command of seam position for someone so new to bowling spin. But he was exposed by the assault from Bairstow and Stokes in the fourth innings, which was hardly all his fault. 6.5

Kyle Jamieson (14 & 1; 0-66 & DNB): After sitting out the IPL to prepare for Test cricket, breaking down with a back problem in the second innings will be doubly hard to take. Vulnerable against the short ball. 2

Tim Southee (4 & 0; 0-154 & 1-67): Has never come in for such punishment in any of his previous 86 Tests, and was brave to keep running in so hard. If he can come through the eight-day break, he should be better suited to Headingley conditions. But it looks a big if right now. 3.5

Matt Henry (0 & 18; 1-128 & 1-67): Along with Potts and Stokes, his lower trajectory caused havoc for his wicketkeeper with the wobble. Wasn't quite at his best in the first innings. A decent spell after lunch on the last day briefly brought New Zealand back into it, before the barrage backfired against Bairstow. 5

Trent Boult (16* & 17; 5-106 & 3-94): A truly champion fast bowler. With Jamieson injured and Southee panned, New Zealand came to rely on him to an unhealthy degree. Five wickets in such conditions at 3.16 in the first innings was exceptional; how he kept giving New Zealand chances in the second extraordinary. Clowns about with the bat, but clumps quite usefully, and gleefully passed Murali's record for most runs at No.11 in Test cricket. 9

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