England 3-0 West Indies: player ratings for the Test series

Joe Root, Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson stood out for England as they won at Lord’s, Trent Bridge and Edgbaston

By Gary Naylor for the 99.94 Cricket Blog

Ben Stokes: 192 runs at 48; five wickets at 34; two catches
The all-rounder was back, his surgery and recovery allowing him to bowl those long spells that get the blood pumping on both sides of the boundary rope. If he occasionally seemed reluctant to bowl himself, his mind was its usual roiling sea of ideas as he worked out how to get the next wicket, the relentless drive of his cricketing intelligence almost palpable. Now a confirmed No 6 (except when there’s fun to be had as an indisposed opener), he tends to come in with a view of steadying the ship or pushing on and, past a hundred Test caps, he is capable of fulfilling both roles. He still finds somewhat careless ways to get out, a weakness that will be punished by stronger opponents. Grade B+