Top marks for Anderson and Jayawardene
Marks out of ten for England and Sri Lanka after the two-Test series
Andrew McGlashan
09-Apr-2012
England
9
James Anderson
Was already established as one of the best fast bowlers before this tour and his reputation has now soared even higher. Superb in every innings and could easily have had greater reward. Incredible stamina.
James Anderson
Was already established as one of the best fast bowlers before this tour and his reputation has now soared even higher. Superb in every innings and could easily have had greater reward. Incredible stamina.
Graeme Swann
Went wicketless in the first innings in Galle but was prolific after that. His performance in Colombo was one of his finest for England and he was back beating the outside edge to the right-handers, which added to his threat. Maybe the presence of Monty Panesar has given him a little kick?
Went wicketless in the first innings in Galle but was prolific after that. His performance in Colombo was one of his finest for England and he was back beating the outside edge to the right-handers, which added to his threat. Maybe the presence of Monty Panesar has given him a little kick?
8
Jonathan Trott
Showed England's batsmen it was possible to score during the failed run-chase in Galle and helped lay the solid foundation for victory in the second Test.
Jonathan Trott
Showed England's batsmen it was possible to score during the failed run-chase in Galle and helped lay the solid foundation for victory in the second Test.
Kevin Pietersen
Few batsmen could have played the way Pietersen managed in Colombo and it made a mockery of his previous struggles in Test matches this year. When the mood takes him he remains irresistible.
Few batsmen could have played the way Pietersen managed in Colombo and it made a mockery of his previous struggles in Test matches this year. When the mood takes him he remains irresistible.
6
Alastair Cook
Still can't quite get that 20th Test century after his second 94 of the year but that was a crucial innings to give England a base and also set the tone in the run chase. Missed a few sharp chances at short leg.
Alastair Cook
Still can't quite get that 20th Test century after his second 94 of the year but that was a crucial innings to give England a base and also set the tone in the run chase. Missed a few sharp chances at short leg.
Matt Prior
Looked comfortable during the Galle run chase until unluckily being caught at short leg off a full-blooded sweep. Kept well in very tough conditions with the missed stumping (which didn't prove costly) as his only real blot.
Looked comfortable during the Galle run chase until unluckily being caught at short leg off a full-blooded sweep. Kept well in very tough conditions with the missed stumping (which didn't prove costly) as his only real blot.
Andrew Strauss
For the first time in his career he faced a lot of awkward questions and he never lost his composure. Ugly shots in the first Test; showed all his grit in the second. Captaincy does not always please those who want more aggression but used his resources well. Caught well too.
For the first time in his career he faced a lot of awkward questions and he never lost his composure. Ugly shots in the first Test; showed all his grit in the second. Captaincy does not always please those who want more aggression but used his resources well. Caught well too.
Steven Finn
Still a work in progress but showed impressive consistency and kept his pace up in the heat. Not a bad option as first reserve and it highlights England's depth in pace bowling.
Still a work in progress but showed impressive consistency and kept his pace up in the heat. Not a bad option as first reserve and it highlights England's depth in pace bowling.
5
Samit Patel
Did not look out of his depth. Managed what was asked with him with the ball - his economy rate was very impressive - and batted confidently in Colombo after a difficult start in Galle. Unlikely to see much Test action in England.
Samit Patel
Did not look out of his depth. Managed what was asked with him with the ball - his economy rate was very impressive - and batted confidently in Colombo after a difficult start in Galle. Unlikely to see much Test action in England.
Tim Bresnan
Eleven Tests, 11 wins. England's lucky charm worked again. Took useful wickets in the first innings in Colombo and gave Strauss control. Would be perfect if he could be a Test No.7.
Eleven Tests, 11 wins. England's lucky charm worked again. Took useful wickets in the first innings in Colombo and gave Strauss control. Would be perfect if he could be a Test No.7.
3
Ian Bell
Showed signs of regaining form in the first innings in Galle but again fell sweeping in the second. Wasted a good platform in the second Test. Needs some time in county cricket before the West Indies series.
Ian Bell
Showed signs of regaining form in the first innings in Galle but again fell sweeping in the second. Wasted a good platform in the second Test. Needs some time in county cricket before the West Indies series.
Monty Panesar
Didn't bowl badly in Galle but could not conjure the threat he had shown in the UAE. Catching reverted to the bad old days and may have played a part in his omission. Still England's second best spinner by a clear margin.
Didn't bowl badly in Galle but could not conjure the threat he had shown in the UAE. Catching reverted to the bad old days and may have played a part in his omission. Still England's second best spinner by a clear margin.
Stuart Broad
Series cut short by injury and did not look his best in Galle after an earlier ankle problem. Bowled eight no-balls. But a minor blip. He's a world-class cricketer.
Series cut short by injury and did not look his best in Galle after an earlier ankle problem. Bowled eight no-balls. But a minor blip. He's a world-class cricketer.
Sri Lanka
9
Mahela Jayawardene
The captain led by example with a Man-of-the-Series display. Ended a lean run in Test cricket with two hundreds and almost defied England single-handedly. Remains a reluctant captain but is giving the job his all. Tough gig with limited bowling resources.
Mahela Jayawardene
The captain led by example with a Man-of-the-Series display. Ended a lean run in Test cricket with two hundreds and almost defied England single-handedly. Remains a reluctant captain but is giving the job his all. Tough gig with limited bowling resources.
Rangana Herath
Confirmed as the leader of Sri Lanka's attack and surpassed all expectations. Was helped by some reckless batting in Galle but also teased with flight and guile. He'll have a heavy workload in the years to come.
Confirmed as the leader of Sri Lanka's attack and surpassed all expectations. Was helped by some reckless batting in Galle but also teased with flight and guile. He'll have a heavy workload in the years to come.
7
Angelo Mathews
Delayed start to the series due to injury and he may struggle to be a regular bowler in Test cricket, if fitness issues continue to plague him. But he twice showed he more than warrants a place as a batsman and appears wasted at No. 6 where he can be stranded with the tail.
Angelo Mathews
Delayed start to the series due to injury and he may struggle to be a regular bowler in Test cricket, if fitness issues continue to plague him. But he twice showed he more than warrants a place as a batsman and appears wasted at No. 6 where he can be stranded with the tail.
6
Thilan Samaraweera
Rarely pleasing on the eye but a gutsy performer in the middle order. Two important innings in Colombo to keep Sri Lanka alive. If he'd survived the fourth evening the result could have been different. Surprisingly does not bowl these days.
Thilan Samaraweera
Rarely pleasing on the eye but a gutsy performer in the middle order. Two important innings in Colombo to keep Sri Lanka alive. If he'd survived the fourth evening the result could have been different. Surprisingly does not bowl these days.
Prasanna Jayawardene
A crucial second innings in Galle which extended Sri Lanka's lead beyond 300 highlighted his value to the middle order. His team could have done with more of the same in the second Test but he should fend off Dinesh Chandimal for a while longer. Tidy behind the stumps.
A crucial second innings in Galle which extended Sri Lanka's lead beyond 300 highlighted his value to the middle order. His team could have done with more of the same in the second Test but he should fend off Dinesh Chandimal for a while longer. Tidy behind the stumps.
4
Chanaka Welegedara
Claimed the important wicket of Pietersen in Galle and offered some useful resistance with the bat before a groin injury ended his series early. One of Sri Lanka's better pace-bowling options.
Chanaka Welegedara
Claimed the important wicket of Pietersen in Galle and offered some useful resistance with the bat before a groin injury ended his series early. One of Sri Lanka's better pace-bowling options.
Dinesh Chandimal
Made two starts in the first Test before giving it away on both occasions but Sri Lanka supporters (and management) need to be patient. He is a key part of the team's future.
Made two starts in the first Test before giving it away on both occasions but Sri Lanka supporters (and management) need to be patient. He is a key part of the team's future.
Suraj Randiv
Very good in Galle, very ordinary in Colombo. Was taken apart by Pietersen, which has happened to many a bowler, but is worth persevering with. Tall offspinners can be an asset.
Very good in Galle, very ordinary in Colombo. Was taken apart by Pietersen, which has happened to many a bowler, but is worth persevering with. Tall offspinners can be an asset.
3
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Was more of a threat to England with his offspin rather than the bat. Fined once during the second Test and fortunate not to be done again after the reaction to his dismissal. Debate is starting about how much longer he will be around the Test side.
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Was more of a threat to England with his offspin rather than the bat. Fined once during the second Test and fortunate not to be done again after the reaction to his dismissal. Debate is starting about how much longer he will be around the Test side.
Suranga Lakmal
Found some swing in Galle but was ineffective in Colombo. Maybe worth persevering with. Showed unexpected stickability with the bat.
Found some swing in Galle but was ineffective in Colombo. Maybe worth persevering with. Showed unexpected stickability with the bat.
Dhammika Prasad
Frustrated England as nightwatchman more than he hindered them with the ball.
Frustrated England as nightwatchman more than he hindered them with the ball.
2
Kumar Sangakkara
A rare lean series for Sangakkara, including two first-ball ducks. It left a big hole in the Sri Lanka line-up and he never threatened to get on top of the England attack.
Kumar Sangakkara
A rare lean series for Sangakkara, including two first-ball ducks. It left a big hole in the Sri Lanka line-up and he never threatened to get on top of the England attack.
Lahiru Thirimanne
Out of his depth with the bat although he was facing the exceptional Anderson. But excellent at short leg.
Out of his depth with the bat although he was facing the exceptional Anderson. But excellent at short leg.
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo