West Indies vs. England: Best XI from Wisden Trophy Series
The spoils may have been shared in the exciting recent Test series between the West Indies and England but, based on their performances across all three games, which players would make a combined XI?
Some selections are automatic. Jimmy Anderson would clearly take the new ball, for example, while the impressive Jermaine Blackwood has nailed down the spot at six.
However, who will fulfil the other positions, such as the spinner, the wicketkeeper and the opening batsmen, is far from clear cut.
So, read on to find out who makes the Bleacher Report West Indies and England combined XI from the latest edition of the Wisden Trophy.
1. Alastair Cook
1 of 11
Innings: 6
Runs: 268
Average: 53.60
Best performance: 105
From an England perspective, the fact that Alastair Cook seems to have returned to form is perhaps more important than the disappointing series result.
After enduring a torrid winter that culminated in him being sacked as ODI skipper, the 30-year-old registered two 50s and also scored his first Test century since May 2013.
Of course, Cook would have expected his team to overcome the inconsistent Windies, but maybe now he'll be better set for the challenges ahead in the next couple of months.
2. Kraigg Brathwaite
2 of 11
Innings: 6
Runs: 186
Average: 31.00
Best performance: 116
Despite being branded as "mediocre" by Colin Graves, the West Indies are an improving side with a number of promising young batsmen, such as Kraigg Brathwaite, trying to make a name for themselves.
True, the Barbadian wasn't prolific in this series and only takes the second opening spot primarily due to the ongoing struggles of Jonathan Trott and Devon Smith.
However, at the age of just 22, Brathwaite has already played 20 Test matches and, as evidenced by his resolute ton in Grenada, appears to have the aptitude and talent to succeed at this level.
3. Gary Ballance
3 of 11
Innings: 6
Runs: 331
Average: 66.20
Best performance: 122
Gary Ballance recovered from his disappointing World Cup in style by adding another 331 runs to his already impressive Test match resume.
Solid in defence and yet capable of methodically putting the bad ball away, the left-hander seems tailor-made for batting in the difficult slot at three and should remain there for years to come.
In fact, during his unbeaten 81 at Grenada, Ballance became the third fastest English player ever to reach 1,000 Test runs and sits in 12th on the all-time list.
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4. Marlon Samuels
4 of 11
Innings: 6
Runs: 225
Average: 37.50
Best performance: 103
Wickets: 3
Marlon Samuels gets the nod over Darren Bravo mainly due to his slightly more flamboyant approach, but also because he can contribute some crucial overs of spin in this pace-heavy best XI.
Given his natural ability, the Jamaican has underachieved so far in his career, but his pragmatic approach in Grenada, when scoring his eighth Test century, showed a disciplined side that looks promising for the future.
However, Samuels' most memorable contribution to the series has to be this comedic send-off to England's Ben Stokes.
5. Joe Root
5 of 11
Innings: 5
Runs: 358
Average: 89.50
Best performance: 182 not out
Joe Root maintained his recent run-procuring ways by scoring 358 runs from just five innings, more than any other batsmen from either side in the series.
Starting with two typically busy half-centuries in Antigua, the 24-year-old then weighed in with a huge ton in Grenada to help England win by nine wickets.
While his off-spin remains occasional rather than reliable, Root now averages 55.00 in Test cricket with the bat and is a crucial component of Alastair Cook's side's middle order.
6. Jermaine Blackwood
6 of 11
Innings: 6
Runs: 311
Average: 77.75
Best performance: 112 not out
The West Indies' leading run scorer in the series was Jermaine Blackwood who, from just eight Tests, has already recorded 554 runs in his career at an average of 50.36.
Equally impressive is a strike rate of 55.95, which indicates the 23-year-old's aggressive approach—as England witnessed in his crucial 88-ball 85 in the first innings at Bridgetown.
At Antigua, Blackwood also registered his first ever Test ton, and it is clear the Caribbean Islanders have an exciting young talent on their hands.
7. Jos Buttler
7 of 11
Innings: 5
Runs: 110
Average: 55.00
Best performance: 59 not out
Catches/stumpings: 13/0
Although he didn't make as big a contribution with the bat as he would have liked to in this series, Jos Buttler gets the nod over Denesh Ramdin for the wicketkeeping duties.
The 24-year-old showed flashes of his extraordinary range of strokes with a rapid unbeaten 59 at Antigua, however, too often he was left stranded by England's worryingly fragile tail.
A missed stumping during the Windies' successful run chase in Barbados shows that Buttler still has plenty of room for improvement with his glove work.
8. Jason Holder
8 of 11
Innings: 5
Runs: 148
Batting average: 37.00
Best performance: 103 not out
Wickets: 8
Bowling average: 31.12
Many people were surprised when the relatively unknown Jason Holder was appointed as the West Indies ODI captain last year despite being aged just 23 years old.
However, this talented all-rounder is starting to show what he can do and made some quality contributions with both bat and ball against England over the course of this series.
The outstanding highlight was a match-saving century in Antigua, which came off just 149 balls and included 15 boundaries.
9. Stuart Broad
9 of 11
Matches: 3
Wickets: 10
Average: 32.00
Best performance: 4/61
Stuart Broad was one of many England players to emerge from the World Cup with his reputation under threat, but as this series progressed, there were signs that the seamer is rediscovering his best form.
The Nottinghamshire man bowled with increasing pace and control and perhaps deserved more than the ten wickets that he ended up with, but his four-wicket haul in Grenada was a crucial contribution.
Worryingly, Broad's batting continues to diminish, as evidenced by a batting average of 2.50 from four completed innings. However, the 77-Test veteran's primary job is to take wickets.
10. Jerome Taylor
10 of 11
Matches: 2
Wickets: 11
Average: 18.27
Best performance: 3/33
It is no surprise that the only Test the West Indies lost was in Antigua when the spearhead of their pace attack, Jerome Taylor, was missing.
The in-form 31-year-old produced figures of 3/90, 2/42, 3/36 and 3/33 and finished with a lower bowling average than any other bowler except England's Jimmy Anderson.
Since making his Test debut in 2013, inconsistency has led to Taylor playing just 39 Tests, but the Jamaican has still managed to snare 114 wickets in total.
11. Jimmy Anderson
11 of 11
Matches: 3
Wickets: 17
Average: 18.00
Best performance: 6/42
The standout player of the series was Jimmy Anderson, who produced a masterclass in pace and swing bowling to pick up 17 victims...six more than anyone else.
Taking wickets in every innings including a devastating six for 42 burst in Barbados, the Lancastrian also surpassed Sir Ian Botham to become England's leading wicket taker in Test cricket.
And with an action-packed summer, featuring tussles with New Zealand and Australia ahead, Anderson has plenty of opportunity to climb higher in the all-time rankings.
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