England completed a 121-run victory over New Zealand in the final Test today to seal a 2-1 series triumph. Below we look at each player's contribution to their first overseas series win in three years:
Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire, capt)
One of the many members of the top order to under-perform and his partnership with Alastair Cook failed to build on its promising start in Sri Lanka. Did not make a decent score in the warm-up matches and recorded only one half-century in the series, while novice captain Daniel Vettori often got the better of him. Will need to improve greatly in England to prevent pressure building on him. 4/10
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Made outstanding progress as a catcher, which was underlined with his six catches in the opening Test defeat in Hamilton. Is now one of the safer pairs of hands in the England slip cordon, but struggled to score consistently at the top of the order. Also only scored one half-century in the series despite getting a start in nearly every innings. 5/10
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex)
Recalled after being dropped for the pre-Christmas trip to Sri Lanka, Strauss' England career was on the line after scoring only 97 runs in five innings before he delivered a determined 177 to set up the final Test victory in Napier. Good influence on the dressing room and deserves the chance to build on his career-best innings at McLean Park. 5/10
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
Suffered another under-par series by his high standards, although he saved his best for last and set up England's triumph in Napier with a defiant first-innings 129 which prevented complete capitulation. It was the only time he passed 50 in the whole winter and England will need a greater contribution from their leading batsman if they are to build on their series win in New Zealand. 6/10
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Scored a stylish second innings century in Napier, but was otherwise unconvincing during the series. Looked good in almost every innings but failed to build on his starts and without his hundred in the final Test could have been under pressure for his place. Switched from number six to five but needs to make a bigger contribution if he is to fulfil his undoubted talent. 5/10
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Like many of the top six, failed to go on and build a major innings during the series but scored crucial runs, particularly in the second Test when he helped Tim Ambrose to his maiden century and set up the victory in Wellington. Also claimed three key wickets in that Test and provided energy in the field, although he did miss a couple of key slip catches. 7/10
Tim Ambrose (Warwickshire, wkt)
Showed enough promise behind the stumps to suggest England may finally have found a successor to Alec Stewart, despite a missed stumping and a dropped catch during the series. Also showed great encouragement batting at number seven, hitting a superb counter-attacking century in Wellington to set up England's series-levelling victory. 7/10
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Replaced Steve Harmison in the side after the first Test defeat and showed signs of great promise. Produced a superb spell in the second innings at Wellington to hasten New Zealand's slide to defeat and improved in tougher conditions at Napier. Also showed genuine talent with the bat with runs in both innings in the final Test and is athletic in the field. A real find for the future. 7/10
Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire)
Man of the series after a staggering 24 wickets in just three Tests and probably the difference between England returning home with an embarrassing series defeat and a 2-1 victory. Showed control, aggression and superb temperament and is now rightly regarded as England's top seamer less than a year after being recalled to the side. Looked tired in the final innings of the final Test, but that was understandable after his Herculean efforts leading up to that. 9/10
Monty Panesar (Northamptonshire)
Suffered an inconsistent series until the final Test, not helped by a seamer-friendly surface in Wellington. Claimed Test-best figures to help England seal their series win, but the punishment he received at the end of the game from Tim Southee - being hit for five sixes - suggest he still has some learning to do. 6/10
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Surprisingly brought in to replace Matthew Hoggard for the second Test and responded superbly with a five-wicket haul in the first innings to secure a major first-innings lead. Failed to show any consistency, however, and struggled throughout the final Test so will need early wickets for Lancashire to secure his place for the first Test this summer. 6/10
Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire)
Regarded as unlucky to lose his place in the aftermath of England's humiliating first Test defeat in Hamilton, he will still need a good start to the season with Yorkshire to regain his place. Lacking pace and direction at Seddon Park, he finished with match figures of one for 151 and needs to rediscover his form in county cricket. 1/10
Steve Harmison (Durham)
Arrived late on tour to witness the birth of his fourth child and once again struggled for pace and direction, claiming match figures of one for 121 in Hamilton. No great surprise he was dropped for Broad after that and is another member of the squad who needs to perform in county cricket if he is to reclaim his place. 1/10
Did not play: Graeme Swann, Owais Shah, Phil Mustard.
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