Familiar errors, but some promise

7

Kraigg Brathwaite (183 runs at 36.60, 1 hundred)

A tour of real encouragement for the opener, who is one of the few young West Indies batsmen of recent times to suggest he has the attributes for the long format. His hundred in Port Elizabeth, his first away from home, was an outstanding innings, highlighting his powers of concentration. Has a few issues around off stump, but possesses the work ethic to iron them out.

Marlon Samuels (268 runs at 53.60, 1 hundred, 1 fifty)

He's a tough one to rate. Comfortably the leading scorer for West Indies, and his hundred in the second Test was hugely worthy, especially given his problems against Morne Morkel, but sometimes there are moments that make you scream (as Stuart Williams, the coach, can attest to). In this series two came in one game, at Newlands, when he drove Stiaan van Zyl to cover then, in the second innings, having help West Indies into a promising lead, lofted Simon Harmer to long-on. The less said about the bowling probably the better.

6

Jermaine Blackwood (96 runs at 24, 1 fifty)

Did not convince at Centurion - but he was not alone in that - and his omission for the second Test looked an error after an impressive display in Cape Town. Somewhat limited in his strokeplay, he battled hard in the first innings to lift West Indies to a competitive total. Was undone by a classic Steyn spell in the second; there is no disgrace in that.

Sulieman Benn (6 wickets at 64.83)

His final series tally of six wickets at 64.83 is unfair on Benn who shouldered, almost to breaking point, the task of offering Denesh Ramdin some modicum of control. Troubled batsmen with bounce as much as spin but a spinner can only flourish with larger totals on the board to work with or better support from the other end. He could have been a matchwinner at Newlands with another 100 to defend. Not much more than a slogger these days with the bat.

5

Leon Johnson (168 runs at 33.60, 1 fifty)

Showed potential in the tricky No. 3 position, left vacant by Darren Bravo's absence, and suggested he had the technique and stomach for the fight. A brace of 30s on a juicy Centurion surface was followed by a gutsy fifty at Newlands but, as with many of the team, he could not convert into something more substantial.

Denesh Ramdin (91 runs at 18.20, 1 fifty)

"Live to fight another day," Ramdin tweeted shortly after the finish in Cape Town. You hope, however, that he remains honest in his assessment of West Indies. Yes, there were positives but still so many familiar mistakes. His own form was patchy, with a lone fifty, while some of his tactics in the field were occasionally baffling although maybe it just highlighted a lack of faith in what was at his disposal.

Jason Holder (3 wickets at 49.66)

Called into the side after his surprise elevation to the one-day captaincy and he acquitted himself well with the ball, albeit in a holding role as technical issues with the delivery stride meant he did not maximise his height or potential pace. But he can hit the seam and finds natural carry. Clearly knows what to do with the bat and hopefully both strands develop as one.

4

Devon Smith (116 runs at 23.20)

His Test career in a microcosm, the series ended with an average of 23.20 which is just fractionally below the disappointing overall number. Regularly looked settled in the middle, especially during the 47 at Cape Town which was one of his best Test innings, but a lapse in awareness was never far away.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (91 runs at 18.20, 1 fifty)

Until West Indies' final innings, Chanderpaul had started to looks his age - which would be a perfectly understandable thing given the burden he has carried. For while, alongside Samuels at Cape Town, thoughts were just turning to what could be achieved by another two hours between the pair but, as so often, the walls came tumbling down around Chanderpaul although his tactics with the lower order, and refusing the shield them, have to be questioned.

3

Jerome Taylor (3 wickets at 107.33)

With uncanny regularity his first ball would be a boundary of some description. However, after an insipid first Test he warmed to his task and provided reminders, if somewhat fleeting, of the dynamic late swing he can generate at a good speed. The bottom line, though, is that West Indies need much more than a return of three wickets at over 100, although some better catching would help. The batting continues to go backwards.

Shannon Gabriel (3 wickets at 57)

Possesses good pace and the ability to hit a testing length, but the familiar issue of consistency remains the problem early in his Test days (although had the lowest average, albeit 49.66, of the quicks who finished the series). However, with Curtly Ambrose around to guide him he is one worth persevering with, especially on pitches that offer something to the faster bowlers.

2

Sheldon Cottrell (1 wicket at 124)

The interesting backstory - solider turned international fast bowler - sadly does not quite make up for his shortcomings with the ball. A wholehearted trier, but struggles to find consistent swing and does not have the accuracy to compensate.

Kenroy Peters (2 wickets at 34.50)

There is always a touch of romanticism when a player makes his debut later in a career, and Peters was heartwarming when he spoke during the Port Elizabeth Test about dedicating his first wicket to his son. However, in truth, he is a medium-pacer who has probably been flattered by the standard of batting in West Indies domestic cricket.

N/A

Kemar Roach

It was cruel blow when he went down injured during the opening Test. He had rattled South Africa with his first spell but then the ankle gave way. Vital for their prospects that he can return to long-term fitness.