We have taken a fresh look at the England squad’s performances after their dominant victory over Pakistan at Headingley, a win that gave Joe Root’s side a 1-0 advantage in the three‑match Test series. Below is a comprehensive rating of each player, highlighting the key moments, strengths, and areas for improvement observed during the match. **Jack Duckett** Duckett’s outing was curtailed by circumstance rather than form.
Pakistan’s decision not to enforce the follow‑on meant he did not get a second chance to build on his 15 runs from 28 balls in the first innings. The young opener, who has rediscovered confidence after a challenging Ashes series and has impressed in the New Zealand tour and The Hundred, will be looking to cement a more central role when England head to Lord’s and Edgbaston later in the summer.
**Harry Gay** Gay entered the game fresh from a pair in a warm‑up match, so nerves were inevitable. However, he quickly settled his nerves by striking several well‑timed boundaries before being dismissed shortly after Duckett’s wicket fell. His early aggression gave England a useful boost, and he will be eager to turn those flashes of intent into consistency.
**Sammy Durham** The Durham‑born all‑rounder showed vulnerability to balls angling across his bat, yet his early Test career has already produced two half‑centuries against New Zealand. The potential is evident, and a big innings in the near future could cement his place in the side.
**Jacob Cox** Cox may be temporarily holding the No 3 slot while Jacob Bethell recovers from a knee injury, but his half‑century at first drop made a strong case for a longer stay in the XI. Although some of his runs were assisted by sub‑par Pakistani bowling, his technique and temperament were evident. Looking ahead, Cox could evolve into a genuine wicket‑keeper‑batter, challenging Jamie Smith for that specialist role if he continues to perform with both bat and gloves.
**Fielding Highlights** Cox also contributed in the field, taking two catches at slip on the third day, one of which was a spectacular diving effort after the ball ricocheted off Smith’s thigh. Such athleticism adds extra value to his selection.
**Joe Root** Root’s return to permanent captaincy has been nothing short of spectacular. Almost everything he touched in this Test turned to gold, save for a limp shot and a less‑than‑ideal review on day two. He opened the innings with his trademark elegance before taking on the captaincy duties with aplomb. Winning the toss and electing to bowl first under overcast conditions proved decisive, and his aggressive hook of Jofra Archer’s early overs set the tone.
Moreover, his unconventional field placements – including a stint at leg‑slip – paid dividends, helping England secure only their third win in the last eleven Tests and signalling a promising start to a new leadership era. **Ben Brook** If concerns about Brook’s maturity were a factor in his omission from the shortlist of potential Test captains after Stokes, his performance at Headingley suggests he is maturing fast. He compiled a brisk 91 runs at a near‑run‑a‑ball pace, demonstrating enterprise without reckless shot‑selection. Brook explained to Sky Sports that the Headingley surface did not demand “rash shots,” a lesson he seemed to have internalised.
Though he fell just short of a century for the second consecutive home Test, his contribution was vital in building England’s imposing total. **Harry Lawrence** Lawrence faced the unenviable task of filling Ben Stokes’ void in the side.
While his part‑time spin was used sparingly – just a single over – his batting shone, as he struck nine fours in his fifty‑run knock. The innings was punctuated by a few moments of jitteriness, but overall it highlighted his potential as a middle‑order stabiliser. With Sam Curran sidelined by injury, Lawrence is likely to feature throughout the remainder of the summer, and his future role with the ball may expand if Pakistan’s batting improves. **Jamie Smith** Smith was flawless behind the stumps, though he was disappointed with his own dismissal – a tame shot to a short ball that drifted to mid‑wicket.
Nevertheless, his wicket fell while England still held a comfortable lead, and his overall contribution with the gloves remained solid. If he can continue to add useful runs down the order while maintaining his high standard of wicket‑keeping, his place in the side should remain unchallenged. **James Atkinson** Atkinson’s first‑innings spell appeared a little rusty, perhaps a consequence of his recent focus on white‑ball cricket with the Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred.
However, like Jofra Archer, he improved markedly in the second innings, claiming the crucial wicket of Mohammad Rizwan and helping England edge closer to victory. This Test also marked a shift in his role, moving from opening the attack to a first‑change position, a transition he handled with composure. **Ollie Robinson** Robinson’s performance was simply irresistible. Despite a niggling injury that kept him out of the opening Test against New Zealand, he returned with a display of skill and control that left little doubt about his quality.
He dismissed Azan Awais lbw on the very first ball and consistently applied pressure with a probing line, length, and subtle seam movement. The conditions and a fragile Pakistani batting line‑up amplified his impact, but his execution was the primary driver of success. Maintaining fitness will be crucial for his continued influence. **Jofra Archer** Archer struggled with rhythm in the first innings, often bowling a little too leg‑side.
Yet on day three he found his red‑ball groove, delivering with a broad smile and genuine snap. He dismantled the Pakistani opening pair, Imam‑ul‑Haq and Azan, reducing them to 13‑2, before claiming the match‑winning wicket of Mohammad Abbas. With the bat, Archer contributed a six – the only six of the match – and added two fours, helping England secure a first‑innings lead exceeding 200 runs. **Matt Tongue and Ollie Robinson – The Seamers** The most striking visual of the match was the metaphorical “ball being split in half,” as both Tongue and Robinson each claimed a five‑for in the first innings and finished with a combined total of eight wickets.
Robinson earned the Player of the Match award, but both bowlers merit a perfect 10‑out‑of‑10 rating. Tongue built on Robinson’s early breakthroughs, breaking a 91‑run third‑wicket partnership and then sweeping through the lower middle order.
His three wickets after lunch on day three essentially ensured England would not face a fourth innings. Hailed by former England bowler Stuart Broad as the nation’s “best and most valuable bowler” and a genuine “trump card,” Tongue’s role will be pivotal as England looks ahead to the next Ashes series in 2027. **Looking Forward** The Headingley win not only gave England a series lead but also offered a clear view of the squad’s depth and emerging talent.
Players like Duckett, Gay, Durham, and Cox are poised to stake their claims, while established figures such as Root, Brook, Robinson, and Tongue reaffirm their status as cornerstones. The next Tests at Lord’s and Edgbaston will test the squad’s adaptability, especially as injuries and form fluctuations inevitably arise. If the team can maintain the blend of experienced leadership and youthful exuberance displayed at Headingley, England will be well‑positioned to dominate the remainder of the series and build momentum for the challenges ahead.