Andrew Strauss:
Time and again the Middlesex opener proved South Africa's nemesis with a phenomenal 656 runs, including three centuries, at a superb average of 72.88.

Marcus Trescothick:
Hit a splendid 180 - one of two centuries for him - which turned the tide in the crucial Wanderers Test and featured in some high-scoring stands with Strauss.

Mark Butcher:
Hit an important half century in the first innings at Port Elizabeth, but managed a total of 20 runs from his next three innings before flying home with an injury.

Robert Key:
Rather like Butcher, who he replaced, Key made one valuable contribution but failed too often the rest of the time. Is Ian Bell the answer at number three?

Michael Vaughan:
Barring two brilliant half centuries in Johannesburg, the captain's batting was below par. But he scores an extra point for some often inspired captaincy.

Graham Thorpe:
Never at his best, even in his unbeaten century at Durban, but that innings and his long vigil at Centurion both helped prevent South African wins.

Andrew Flintoff:
His batting generally disappointed but his bowling consistently tested South Africa's finest batsmen. Remains a vital cog in the England side.

Geraint Jones:
Two dropped catches at vital stages of the Wanderers Test could have scuppered England there and his batting was not as potent as it could have been.

Ashley Giles:
Eleven wickets at an average in excess of 40 suggest a moderate performance from Giles, but the pitches didn't help and he compensated with the bat.

Matthew Hoggard:
The match-winner at the Wanderers with some spell-binding swing bowling, Hoggard was also the leading wicket-taker in the series with 26.

Simon Jones:
Oddly, and perhaps wrongly dropped for the Wanderers Test, Jones rarely disappointed and showed his potential as a reliable first change bowler.

Steve Harmison:
Began the series with a brilliant yorker to dismiss Kallis but barely troubled the batsmen from then on. After his potency in 2004, his series was a major disappointment.