Taylor and Warrican bright spots in woeful series

Jerome Taylor (6 wickets at 23.50)

Raced in spell after spell in the heat of Galle, as Sri Lanka amassed a huge total, and was a consistent troublemaker for the hosts at the P Sara. Taylor didn't beat so many edges, but unsettled the batsmen with short bowling instead, and even got wickets that way. Had rattled the Sri Lanka top order in both innings at the P Sara, which bought the spinners time to settle at the crease, when they were brought on.

Jomel Warrican (6 wickets at 21.50)

Warrican wasn't particularly proud of his four wickets in the first innings, but they did keep Sri Lanka to a manageable total. He arguably bowled better in the second dig, and can partly be credited for the wickets that fell at the other end. A canny, consistent bowler who is unafraid to attack, Warrican looks a good addition to West Indies' bowling stocks.

Kraigg Brathwaite (103 runs at 25.75, 6 wickets at 7.16)

Batted astutely for his 47 in the first innings at the P Sara, then came up with a staggering 6 for 29 in the second innings, as Sri Lanka's batsmen continued to attempt big shots against him. The bowling was doughty rather than indomitable, but the breakthroughs just kept coming and he kept West Indies in a match that had been slipping quickly away from them. Incredibly, he had only had three first-class wickets before that performance. Jason Holder may use this hitherto-unsuspected weapon more often in the future.

Darren Bravo (144 runs at 36)

West Indies' best batsman of the series, and he didn't average 40. Bravo seemed the most at ease against Rangana Herath, but even still, he fell to him twice. Made a measured 50 in Galle before being caught spectacularly by Dinesh Chandimal, then hit a sparkling 61 in the failed P Sara chase. As ever, he seems the batsman around whom the middle order will pivot in years to come, but the fifties need to become big hundreds if West Indies are to make headway in Tests.

Jason Holder (3 wickets at 22.33, 65 runs at 16.25)

Holder's control with the ball was unparalleled by any seamer in the series, but that didn't translate into wickets on dry surfaces. He did however, sharpen the menace of the men he bowled in tandem with. Made no major contributions with the bat. His first series as captain was made tougher by the suspension of coach Phil Simmons, who he had spoken fondly of before the series. The result was a muddled strategy with bat and ball, which was often too defensive. He has plenty of years to learn, but he'll improve quicker if he is better supported during this delicate stage of leadership.

Jermaine Blackwood (123 runs at 30.75)

The sheen was taken off Blackwood's excellent numbers this year by a 16 and 4 at the P Sara. In Galle, he had defended sagely in the early part of his second-innings knock, then accelerated when wickets began falling at the other end, finally perishing with a hundred in sight. Didn't seem to have glaring technical weaknesses, but his shot selection remains a work in progress.

Devendra Bishoo (5 wickets at 44.40)

His figures are underwhelming given the pitches were helpful, but Bishoo also had chances grassed off his bowling, particularly in Galle. Bowled a few too many loose balls to create consistent pressure, and was occasionally put off his lengths by attacking batting - especially from Sri Lanka's left-hand batsmen. He did hasten the end of Sri Lanka's innings in Galle, but the hosts had already made a tall total at that point.

Kemar Roach (2 wickets at 51)

Bowled better with the old ball than the new, but didn't create many chances with either. The lack of movement from Sri Lanka's surfaces hampered his style of bowling, but at least his discipline was good throughout. Bowled his best spell on the first morning in Galle.

Denesh Ramdin (58 runs at 14.50, 8 catches and a stumping)

Made no scores of consequence during the series, and was equally frail against seam and spin. His glovework though, was tidy, even during that long stretch in the field in Galle.

Shai Hope (68 runs at 17)

Hope would perhaps have made a better fist of the series if he had played more shots. He hit some delicious boundaries in his short stints at the crease, but was eventually dismissed by one that turned or bounced more than he expected. West Indies have a real shortage of talent in the opening positions, and Hope needs to develop a better defensive game if he is to stay atop the order long term. He did have a share in West Indies' only fifty-plus stand of the series, with Darren Bravo.

Shannon Gabriel (1 wicket at 76)

Delivered energetic spells during that first, laborious day in Galle, but went unrewarded that day. Claimed the wicket of Kusal Perera the following day, but was dropped in favour of an extra spinner in Colombo.

Marlon Samuels (30 at 7.50, 1 wicket at 84)

Last time Samuels was in the country, he played one of the great T20 innings to win West Indies the World T20. He must have used up all his good fortune then, because this tour could hardly have gone any worse. The leaden-footed batsman who was out for 13 and 6 at the P Sara seemed incredibly short of confidence. To top it all off, his action was reported, and he now faces a biomechanical Test to prove its legality.