England suffered their first defeat of the Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum era as South Africa cruised to victory at Lord’s.
After four thrilling wins over New Zealand and India earlier in the summer, England were brought crashing back down to earth in the opening match of the three-Test series, with South Africa getting the job done by an innings and 12 runs inside three days.
Ollie Pope was impressive in the first innings but apart from that there was little to shout about for the hosts, who will need a big response at Old Trafford in the second Test.
Read how Will Macpherson rated the England players at Lord’s...
Alex Lees - 3
5 & 35
The guiltiest of the batters in the first innings. Dug in in the second, but to no avail. Not for the first time, was nibbled out from round the wicket.
Zak Crawley - 2
9 & 13
Poor Crawley looks all at sea and, sadly, it was little surprise to see him make two more low scores after the summer he has had in all cricket. England love Crawley, but have a decision to make: is it cruel to keep him in the line of fire?
Ollie Pope - 7
73 & 5
A terrific first innings was everything England are looking for from their No3. But an untimely dismissal in the second innings exposed his team. Overall, a step forward, though.
Joe Root - 3
8 & 6
When Root fails twice, England lose in dramatic fashion. It happened in Grenada in March and it happened at Lord’s. A marginal dismissal in the first innings, and a good bit of bowling from Ngidi in the second.
Jonny Bairstow - 3
0 & 18
A long break from red ball cricket disrupted the extraordinary rhythm he was in, but he started the summer with three low scores so no great concern. Caught well, as he generally has this summer.
Ben Stokes - 6
20 & 20; 3-74
Two starts. The first was cut short at a terrible time, and in the second he was left to slog as he ran out of partners. Found an excellent spell on day two, and generally bowled well. Total commitment to his tactics, with very mixed results.
Ben Foakes - 3
6 & 0
Did one aspect of his job very tidily, keeping wicket impressively in awkward conditions. But has made six runs in his last three innings, including two ducks.
Stuart Broad - 6
20 & 35; 3-71
A funny one to grade, Broad. Looked very rusty with the ball at first, but ended up with three wickets. And scored more runs than any England player bar Pope. A sensational catch to dismiss Rabada on the final morning.
Matt Potts - 4
2-79
A poor Test for England’s breakthrough player of the summer. Was very loose in his first spell of the summer and, while he recovered to take a couple of wickets. Truly witless shot at the end of the game with Stokes still in.
Jack Leach - 6
1-42
Didn’t get a second innings to bowl in, but turned the ball and found good control in the first. Should be batting two places higher than No10.
James Anderson - 5
1-51
Was good, and a little unlucky, with the new ball. But tired after that, and was not used on the third morning, which was odd. Shouldn’t need a rest after just one innings.
