Joe Root’s first match back as England’s Test captain could not have unfolded any better. The side secured a comfortable three‑day victory and earned a weekend break, a result that highlighted both England’s resurgence and Pakistan’s glaring deficiencies. The fast bowler Josh Tongue, a lifelong Manchester United fan, was even able to catch the Saturday‑lunchtime Premier League opener between United and Hull City on television – a luxury made possible by England’s dominance and Pakistan’s ineptitude.
The game, which began on a Wednesday, was wrapped up before the tea break on Friday. Had the weather held up on the first two days, the contest might have been finished by Thursday evening. This rapid conclusion mirrors the early‑summer reset England experienced against New Zealand at Lord’s, where the brisk pace of play made it difficult to gauge genuine progress. In June, against the Black Caps, the poor quality of the pitch was blamed for a Test that lasted only 166 overs.
At Headingley this week, it was Pakistan’s lack of skill that forced the match to end after just 175.3 overs. The pitch itself was decent; the problem lay in how Pakistan batted, bowled and fielded. England, on the other hand, delivered a solid performance that should not be dismissed despite Pakistan’s myriad issues.
Root’s captaincy showed clear evolution. After a bruising first stint that saw a string of defeats and the added pressure of Covid bubbles, he appeared refreshed on home soil, guiding England to a record‑extending 28th win under his leadership. He experimented with field placements, moving from slip to mid‑off to stay closer to his bowlers, and later shifting to leg‑slip to take a crucial catch off Jofra Archer. His tactical decision to pull Archer from the attack after two ineffective overs with the new ball demonstrated a willingness to adapt without trying to imitate his predecessor Ben Stokes.
Harry Brook, the vice‑captain, also displayed a more measured approach. Rather than relying on flamboyant, risky strokes, he chose a restrained, orthodox style, waiting for Pakistan to deliver a loose delivery – which they did in abundance – before capitalising.
Brook’s combination of patience and raw talent suggests a bright future if he can maintain this balance. England’s batting unit as a whole was confident and clinical, a far cry from the chaotic "Bazball" brand that characterised earlier matches. The middle order showed depth, with Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence each contributing lively half‑centuries after stepping in for the injured Jacob Bethell and the retired Ben Stokes. Cox, in particular, seemed at home at this level, handling the conditions with ease.
The pace quartet – Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson – performed admirably, making it unlikely that a specialist spinner will be selected for the next Test. Dan Lawrence bowled only a single over, leaving the question of whether he should become England’s primary spin option unanswered. While a spinner could improve the over‑rate, England’s strength clearly lies in its quicks. Pakistan’s performance, however, was disappointing on several fronts.
The side was missing its captain and leading batsman Babar Azam due to a hand injury, and they lost the toss, forcing them to bat under overcast skies on day one. Their batting line‑up struggled to adjust to English conditions, the bowlers lacked the traditional Pakistani venom, and the fielding was sub‑standard, especially at Headingley. The sparse presence of Pakistani supporters in the stadium further underscored the waning connection between the team and its fan base. Looking ahead, the series could become a long one for Pakistan but a short one in terms of actual playing time if rain continues to intervene.
England appears poised to win comfortably at Lord’s and Edgbaston, assuming the weather cooperates. Babar’s eventual return will strengthen the batting order, but the lack of express pace – a hallmark of Pakistan cricket historically embodied by legends such as Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaab Akhtar and Saeed Ajmal – remains a concern.
England has embraced a series of resets lately, and perhaps Pakistan needs a similar overhaul after losing 14 of their last 19 Tests. While a weekend break is always welcome, it is unlikely to be enjoyed by the Pakistani camp after a match that could hardly have gone any worse.
Fans can watch day one of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 am Thursday (11 am first ball) or stream via NOW. All matches are broadcast live on Sky Sports with 11 am starts across the UK and Ireland.