Nasser Hussain rates England players after New Zealand series

Cook gets top marks, with Bell and Ballance bottom of class...

By Nasser Hussain, Cricket Expert & Columnist

Image: Ian Bell averaged just 10.75 against New Zealand

England's final Test series before The Ashes saw them draw 1-1 with a crack New Zealand outfit.

But which players impressed for Alastair Cook's side - and who has cause for concern ahead of the five-match battle with Australia, which begins in Cardiff on Wednesday, July 8?

Sky Sports expert Nasser Hussain has delivered his grades, saluting the skipper and England's new hero Ben Stokes, and telling Ian Bell and Gary Ballance that they must do better...

ALASTAIR COOK – 9.5/10

Alastair Cook says every time England had a chance, New Zealand piled on the pressure with attacking batting during day 5 of the second Test at Headingley

He is back. I don’t think I have seen him play better and he captained pretty well, too. One thing he has got to do, though, is stand up to James Anderson and Stuart Broad a bit more and make them realise he is setting the plans.

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ADAM LYTH – 8/10

Adam Lyth told Ian Ward it was a dream come true after securing his maiden ton on his home ground for England.

He had a difficult first Test but that’s understandable and to come back in the second Test on his home ground is absolutely brilliant. He is a definite for the Ashes unless he gets an injury and just needs to work on the back foot and leaving the odd delivery on length.

More from England V New Zealand, 2nd Test, 2015

GARY BALLANCE – 2/10

Image: Gary Ballance: Struggled in the Test series against New Zealand

I don’t like giving low marks but he has been worked over by the New Zealand quicks and had a very poor series. He’s not a front-foot lunger and I’m not sure he’s a No 3, even though his record in that spot is phenomenal. I would play him in the Ashes but at No 5.

IAN BELL – 2/10

Sir Ian Botham argues that Adam Lyth should field in the slips after Ian Bell missed two chances

Bell can’t buy a run since his ton in Antigua. He needs to go back to Warwickshire and get some runs because I would bat him at No 3 in the Ashes and give him some kind of responsibility. He has dropped catches, too, and really needs to deliver as a senior player.

JOE ROOT – 7/10

Image: Joe Root: Only managed to score one run in front of his home fans at headingley

He had an excellent Test at Lord’s but a very quiet one at Headingley, getting nought and one. It was a reality check but you get Tests like that.

BEN STOKES – 8/10

Here's the moment Ben Stokes reached his century off just 85 balls, the fastest Test hundred even seen at Lord's

I loved everything about the Lord’s Test but the performance from Stokes was exhilarating; it was out of the top drawer and really got the crowd going. He will have ups and downs because he is a young gun but he is fantastic.

JOS BUTTLER – 7/10

Image: Jos Buttler bats during day one of first Test match between England and New Zealand

I know he let a lot of byes past at Lord’s but that was because of the wobble and some of his leg-side catches were outstanding. He batted well and gutsily in the second innings at Headingley as well, though Australia will target him outside off-stump.

MOEEN ALI – 4/10

Image: Moeen Ali: Nasser Hussain has questioned his role in the side

I don’t understand what his role in the side is. If he is going to bat at eight he needs to get wickets, otherwise someone like Adil Rashid comes into the equation. England need to work out of he is their best spinner.

STUART BROAD – 6/10

Image: Stuart Broad: Needs to be less emotional when bowling, says Nasser

I am pleased he has shown some fight with the bat and got some runs as that is going to be massive leading into the Ashes. With the ball he continues to take wickets but is expensive and needs to get less emotional and concentrate on hitting the stumps.

MARK WOOD – 7/10

Image: Mark Wood: Did not look like a Test new boy this series, says Nasser

I have been really impressed with his attitude – his spell to Brendon McCullum at Headingley before getting him out was outstanding – and I think he is a really good cricketer. He looks like he has played 20 Tests but needs looking after physically as he reminds me of Simon Jones.

JAMES ANDERSON – 6/10

Watch as James Anderson becomes the first Englishman to take 400 Test wickets by dismissing Martin Guptill

Jimmy has bowled well at times and to take his 400th wicket and get New Zealand 2-2 at Headingley was superb. Like Broad, he gets too emotional and needs to pitch the ball up against tailenders but it is vital he stays fit ahead of The Ashes.

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