WHAT THE RATINGS MEAN 10 - out of this world 9 - brilliant 8 - very good 7 - good 6 - average 5 - below par 4 - poor 3 - dismal

England were too strong for Sri Lanka in the second Test, where they beat the tourists by six wickets to lead the series 1-0 with one to play.

But which of the home side had a really good game, and which players will be less delighted about their performance at Edgbaston?

Andrew Flintoff (captain) - 7
Disappointed with the bat, but was as dependable as ever with the ball where he took two wickets in each innings, including the important first strike on the final day.

His captaincy had been criticised at Lord's, but he was more imaginative at Edgbaston where he allowed Monty Panesar to bowl more and successfully brought Liam Plunkett into the attack early on the first morning.

Marcus Trescothick - 6
Featured in a 56-run opening partnership with Andrew Strauss on the first day but failed in the second innings.

He will be concerned that all three of his dismissals in the series have been to Muttiah Muralitharan, but his catching was once again out of the top drawer.

Andrew Strauss - 6
Looked in excellent nick in both innings, but tossed away a good start on day one because of a silly run out and then was the victim of umpire Aleem Dar's only bad decision of the match.

His catching was not as bad as at Lord's, but he did shell one chance before accepting another on the final morning.

Alastair Cook - 7
Another victim of Murali's dreaded 'doosra' in the first innings, Cook scored a psychological blow against Sri Lanka's only threatening bowler by seeing him off on the final day.

Is increasingly beginning to look like a dependable anchor in the top order.

Kevin Pietersen - 9
Without his dominant century in the first innings, England may well have lost the match.

The spectators at Edgbaston on Friday were treated to an astonishing display of batting, including probably the first reverse sweep for six seen in a Test.

Played a quiet foil to Pietersen in a 69-run partnership on the Friday but will have been disappointed to score just 22 in two innings amid news that Michael Vaughan is almost fit again.

Geraint Jones - 7
Dropped only one catch this time, a difficult chance off Panesar, and took five others plus a smart and important stumping on the second evening.

Will want to forget his tame dismissal to Murali, however.

Liam Plunkett - 8
Arguably the only England bowler in this match to be a threat whenever he had the ball.

Missed out on Saturday because of injury, and the team struggled as a result, but match figures of 6-60 made him a racing certainty to play more Tests this summer.

Matthew Hoggard - 7
Bowled three balls at opener Upul Tharanga and dismissed him twice, and took three further wickets in the match.

Crucially, he removed Tillakaratne Dilshan late on Saturday when spirits were flagging.

Sajid Mahmood - 6
Was the most under-used England bowler in the match, but showed good pace on the first day to add two wickets to his Test haul.

Not as much of a threat in the second innings, however, and could now make way for Steve Harmison.

Monty Panesar - 6
His fielding is getting worse rather than better - and his terrible drop on the first day cost precious runs.