Michael Vaughan

Those who believe Vaughan has been adversely affected by captaincy have ideal evidence in his series scores.

He produced a fine innings of 156 when unburdened at Edgbaston, but has managed a total of 140 in the eight innings since being named Nasser Hussain's successor.

Lapses in concentration have seen the batsman ranked the world's best earlier this year give his wicket away on occasion, the worst lapse on the final afternoon of the series.

But in each short innings there has at least been the occasional glimpse of a brilliant pull or drive, a hint of his heavenly winter form.

Marcus Trescothick

Vaughan's opening partner suffered because of his impetuosity early in the series, despite a half-century in the drawn first Test.

Patience began to pay off at Headingley, although his decision to take a break for bad light upset England's momentum and saw him dismissed later on the second evening.

But it brought massive rewards at The Oval as a scratchy start blossomed into the first double-century of his first-class career and he subsequently brought up the winning runs in the second innings.

Mark Butcher

The Surrey veteran displayed some fine form, scoring three half-centuries, although his inability to capitalise on his first innings 77 at Headingley could have proved crucial.

His sole century of the series, in a solid partnership with Nasser Hussain at Trent Bridge, was vital in setting up a 70-run victory on a difficult pitch.

The less said about his close fielding the better.

Nasser Hussain

The pressures of captaincy, and subsequent speculation over his future, saw a miserable figure under-perform in the opening two matches of the series.

Once those were lifted from his shoulders, he responded with some customary grit in a match-winning ton at Trent Bridge.

But his dismissal to part-time spinner Jacques Rudolph in the fourth Test was crucial and - however it was gained - a broken toe saw him ruled out of the final match.

Ed Smith

A late call-up, the Kent batsman took to Test cricket with a stylish 64 on debut at Trent Bridge but fell for less than 20 on the next four occasions, showing the expected weakness outside off-stump.

After Graham Thorpe's return, he will be left to sweat on a place in the winter touring party.

Anthony McGrath

Awarded a spot on the basis of his batting against Zimbabwe early in the summer, the Yorkshire captain took two matches to prove himself not up to the job at the highest level.

Alec Stewart

The Gaffer's last Test series was not a classic in batting terms, although he did contribute a half-century to the winning effort in the third Test.

There has been the occasional sign that he is past his peak behind the stumps, although England's wayward bowling has not helped at times.

But despite calls for him to stand down immediately, Stewart did enough to prove himself the best man for the job this summer.

Andrew Flintoff

'Freddie' has come of age with the bat during this series, adding caution to the powerful shot-making that has seen him break two bats.

His century at Lord's lifted England spirits when the match was already lost, while two half-centuries at Headingley were mature but in vain.

But his 95 at The Oval utilised partners in the tail brilliantly and turned the fifth Test around in the space of a session.

Flintoff's only frustration must be that, despite bowling with pace and movement, he took just 10 wickets in the series.

Ashley Giles

With five wickets - including Graeme Smith for 277 and Herschelle Gibbs for 183 - at an average of 72.80, the slow left-armer only kept his place because England could not find an experienced spinner to replace him.

Giles never threatened during the series and, another cardinal sin for a spinner, was unable to keep the flow of runs down.

His batting - an average of nearly 20 at eight in the order - was insufficient solace.

James Anderson

Anderson's first full season of first-class cricket has imposed a steep learning curve, but there have been flashes of class in a difficult series for the Lancastrian.

His five-wicket first-innings haul at Trent Bridge - the sole highlight - was overshadowed by James Kirtley's six wickets in the second.

In between he has struggled for consistency and been hit by fatigue, but injuries to more senior players left the 21-year-old under more pressure than was fair.

Darren Gough

England's leading one-day wicket-taker retired from the Test scene after the second match of the series, before he was pushed from the team.

After almost two years away from the five-day game, because of long-term knee trouble, Gough was unable to provide either the experience England's young attack required or his pace of old.

Martin Bicknell

A surprise call-up after 10 years of being overlooked, Bicknell's selection for the last two Tests provided an ideal counter-point to England's generally inexperienced seam attack.

Despite his lack of pace, he provided seam and swing movement and the accuracy that his younger colleagues lacked, perfectly fulfilling the role asked of him.

Steve Harmison

Like pace colleague Anderson, the Durham pace bowler was inconsistent for much of the series, failing to capitalise on his extra pace and bounce.

But he finally repaid the faith when it mattered, removing South Africa's three most dangerous batsmen - Gary Kirsten (at slip), Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock - in the second innings of the final Test.

Kabir Ali

Preferred to an almost-fit Harmison at Headingley, the Worcestershire seamer took five wickets in his debut Test, but too often offered half-hearted deliveries, which South Africa exploited.

James Kirtley

Whatever the quality of the pitch at Trent Bridge, debutant Kirtley was the only bowler really to exploit it, taking the man of the match award after a second innings 6-34.

His second Test was not so impressive, and a wide half-volley to begin day four at Headingley set the tone as South Africa turned the match around.