Heroes and Villains: England's player ratings from the 2023 Cricket World Cup

While the defending champions endured a difficult time in India, there were some players that stood out from the chaos.

JONNY BAIRSTOW: One of the stars of 2019 was simply not at the races this time around. Without his old partner Jason Roy to bounce off Bairstow struggled to make an impact and found ways to get out. 3/10

DAWID MALAN: Topped England’s run charts with 404, scored a fine 140 against Bangladesh and kept his strike rate better than a run a ball. Already ousted from the West Indies tour and may have played his final international. 7

JOE ROOT: Made three fifties – two at the start and one at the end – but fell away dramatically through the middle of the tournament when his composure was badly needed but sadly absent. 4

BEN STOKES: Came out of one-day retirement in the hope of adding one more trophy to his collection but goes home disappointed. Missed the first three games with a hip injury and, although he averaged 50 and hit a brilliantly-paced century against the Netherlands, this was not what he came to do. 6

JOS BUTTLER: A horrible time for the captain, who departs with question marks over his leadership. Poor decisions over team selection and at the toss will cling to him and his batting brilliance deserted him, with 138 runs across nine tortured innings. 2

HARRY BROOK: A late inclusion in the squad, he showed flashes of his skill in a format he has barely played before. A future mainstay of the side, leaving him out for three important games was flawed logic. 4

MOEEN ALI: Did not take a wicket until England were officially out of the tournament but finished with five on helpful pitches in the last two games. Only one innings of any substance and is probably finished in ODI cricket. 4

LIAM LIVINGSTONE: Woefully off form with the bat, averaging just 10 in six knocks, as concerns arose over his suitability for the 50-over game. Contributed better with the ball, but his spin was not enough to keep him in the XI. 2

DAVID WILLEY: Announced his retirement midway through the tournament after missing out on a central contract but channelled his anger to produce some excellent performances. Will feel a haul of 11 wickets in six games at 23.55 has proved a point. 7

SAM CURRAN: Player of the tournament in last year’s T20 World Cup, the pendulum swung dramatically for the all-rounder here. Bowled his way out of the team for good after three matches and has not really found a clear role in the batting order. Needs to prove he can cope with the demands of the 50-over game. 2

CHRIS WOAKES: Mr Dependable on home soil but a notoriously fragile traveller, Woakes set the tone for England’s struggles with some dreadful new-ball bowling at the start of the tournament. Finished well and broke Sir Ian Botham’s record of 30 World Cup wickets, but his long stint as attack leader should be at an end. 5

MARK WOOD: England’s speed demon kept charging in and delivering at pace but he was unable to take regular wickets or keep a lid on the boundaries. Six wickets at 58.17 and an economy of 6.46 shone a light on his struggles. 3

GUS ATKINSON: Chosen as the one up-and-coming young bowler in the squad and gave a decent account of himself across three appearances. Has the speed to succeed but needs to learn a few more tricks. 5

ADIL RASHID: Perhaps not quite the same bowler he was at his peak, but still the best England could offer here. Topped the wicket column with 15, maintained a good economy and thrived on the slower pitches. England will miss him when he’s gone. 7

REECE TOPLEY: Bafflingly overlooked for the first match of the tournament but looked the side’s best seamer by a distance when he got the chance. His injury curse continued as he flew home with a broken finger but he is inked in to England’s best white-ball team. 7

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