Tried everything to play himself out of a year-long rut but was not helped by some dodgy umpiring decisions in Faisalabad.

The clouds finally lifted with a determined half century in the final Test in Karachi and, fittingly, he was out in the middle as Graham Thorpe hit the winning runs in the fading light. Continued to prove himself an able and determined leader.

Michael Atherton

More than a decade on from his debut, Atherton remains the bulwark of England's batting line-up.

His patience and impeccable defensive technique confounded the Pakistani bowlers in Karachi and brought him a 16th Test hundred. The selectors hope his retirement will not come too soon.

Marcus Trescothick

Enhanced his reputation with a century against the Governor's XI and an innings of 73 in the first Test but perhaps, more importantly, the tour will have been a valuable learning experience.

The Somerset left-hander still has a lot to learn about batting against quality spin bowling, but will go to Sri Lanka knowing he has proved his success during the summer was no flash in the pan. Also contributed some useful medium pace bowling during the series.

Graham Thorpe

Four months on from the embarrassment of a first ball duck against West Indies at Old Trafford on his comeback to Test cricket, Thorpe proved himself one of England's most reliable performers and used his 'inside knowledge' of county teammate Saqlain Mushtaq to good effect.

His 118 in Lahore, containing only two fours, was a truly heroic effort and Thorpe saw England home under intense pressure in the final Test run-chase with an unbeaten 64.

Alec Stewart

The slow wickets and Pakistan's reliance on spin did not suit the Surrey wicket-keeper batsman, neither did being named in an Indian report into cricket corruption early in the tour.

Support from his teammates enabled Stewart to overcome that shock to the system and his performances behind the stumps were as consistent as usual.

Graeme Hick

The big disappointment among England's batsmen, he partially redeemed himself with a vital innings of 40 on the final day in Karachi - his first score over 20 in the series.

Would probably have lost his place in the Test side had Michael Vaughan not suffered a calf injury and the New Year trip to Sri Lanka could still be make or break for his Test career.

Craig White

White has, perhaps more than anyone, benefitted from the security provided by a central contract after surprisingly being included in the list of elite England players earlier in the year.

His ability to reverse swing the ball made him a more potent weapon than Gough or Caddick and he also did himself justice with the bat, scoring a century against the Patron's XI and was unlucky not to reach three figures in the Lahore Test.

Ashley Giles

For a man who began the tour with a Test record of one wicket for 106 runs, slow left-armer Giles exceeded the selectors' expectations by emerging as England's most potent weapon.

After shrugging off a calf injury sustained during the one-day tournament in Kenya, he claimed 17 wickets in the series - the most by any England bowler in Pakistan. Can now look forward to more helpful surfaces in Sri Lanka.

Ian Salisbury

Picked for the tour ahead of the likes of Croft, Tufnell and Schofield, the Surrey leg-spinner found the weight of expectation too much despite wickets prepared for spin bowling.

Perhaps guilty of trying too hard, he appeared short of confidence and one wicket at a cost of 193 runs in the series says it all. Must now hope that the selectors do not the decide to call up an extra slow bowler for the Sri Lankan leg of England's winter itinerary.

Andrew Caddick

Trying to find some help from the lifeless strips proved a thankless task, but Caddick maintained his discipline and did not allow the Pakistani top order batsmen any liberties.

His place is secure following some destructive spells against the West Indies during the summer, but will no doubt be looking forward to a change of scene and, hopefully, a change of conditions.

Darren Gough

Had to draw on all his inner determination and enthusiasm to make an impact on the series, but did so in the final Test in Karachi with three wickets in each innings.

Also played a crucial role with the bat as he and Ian Salisbury stayed together for an hour and a half on the fourth day at the National Stadium.