England completed a 4-0 NatWest series triumph over South Africa after the final match was washed out at Cardiff's Swalec Stadium. Their comprehensive victory moved them up to third in the world rankings and below we look at each player's contribution to the outstanding success.

Kevin Pietersen

Took charge just over two weeks before the start of the series and had an immediate impact, claiming man-of-the-match in the opener at Headingley. As aggressive with his captaincy as he is with his batting, claiming such a comprehensive series win has been a stunning effort but perhaps his biggest achievement was luring Steve Harmison out of retirement to join his one-day adventure. 9/10

Ian Bell

Now established as a one-day opener, he struggled at the start of the series most notably by battling to 35 off 69 balls in the opening match without a single boundary. He adjusted his tactics to play a leading role in the third match at The Oval, hitting a sparkling 73 and his opening partnership with Matt Prior shows signs of great promise. 7/10

Matt Prior

Returned to the one-day fold after being overlooked for the last year, Prior made an impressive return and formed an impressive-looking opening partnership with Bell. Criticised for his wicketkeeping prior to being axed last year, he impressed in every match behind the stumps and equalled Alec Stewart's England record of six catches during the victory at Trent Bridge. 7/10

Owais Shah

Promoted to the number three position by captain Pietersen after playing in the middle order in his previous England one-day appearances, Shah had limited opportunities to impress and only got to the crease three times. Failed to make much of an impact at Headingley and The Oval but hit a superb unbeaten 44 at Lord's which suggests a promising future for him in his new role. 6/10

Andrew Flintoff

Made a massive impact on the series with bat and ball, culminating his man-of-the-match display at Lord's on Sunday. Finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 10 victims and the leading run-maker with 187 runs to claim a deserved man-of-the-series award. His dynamic performances were one of the major positives for England as they plan ahead for this winter's tour to India. 9/10

Paul Collingwood

Forced to sit out the opening match of the series while he served the remainder of his four-match ban for slow over-rates, the success of England's top order restricted his contribution to the series win. Only got to the crease once in his four matches, while the four-strong seam attack limited him to only nine overs but he remains a key part of England's future. 6/10

Samit Patel

The find of the series for England after being surprisingly called up into the one-day squad. Chosen ahead of Nottinghamshire team-mate Graeme Swann, Patel looked the part at this level and claimed the man-of-the-match award in only his fourth one-day international after claiming a five-wicket haul. Needs to work on his fielding but an otherwise impressive first series. 7/10

Ravi Bopara

Surprisingly overlooked for Luke Wright, Bopara was only given one outing in the opening match of the series at Headingley while Collingwood served out the final game of his ban. He was not required to bat and bowled just two overs, but is likely to come into contention during the one-day series in India where his ability to play spin should prove useful. 5/10

Luke Wright

Surprisingly chosen ahead of Ravi Bopara for a place in the lower order, the success of England's batting restricted his contributions to a bare minimum. He batted only twice, facing only 15 balls and scoring 19 runs, and was not required to bowl. Remains an integral part of the side, however, and his energetic fielding has been a key component of England's success. 6/10

Stuart Broad

Continued his impressive development as an international seamer and formed an effective new-ball partnership with James Anderson. Performed brilliantly to claim a career-best five for 23, the fifth best figures by an England bowler, at Trent Bridge and provides useful batting down the order. This winter's tour of India will be another important chapter in his development. 8/10

Steve Harmison

Surprisingly recalled into England's one-day squad after captain Pietersen persuaded him to change his decision about retiring from one-day cricket, he immediately improved England's options during the middle overs. Claimed six wickets in the series and forms a formidable partnership with Flintoff on and off the pitch. 7/10

James Anderson

Struggled for the accuracy and penetration he enjoyed earlier in the summer and did not take a wicket until the third match of the series at the Oval. His experience will prove vital, however, on India's flatter and less responsive pitches later this year. 6/10

Did not play: Graeme Swann, Ryan Sidebottom, Alastair Cook, Tim Bresnan.