Joe Root’s first match back at the helm of England’s Test side could not have unfolded any more favorably. The visitors wrapped up a three‑day victory and earned themselves a weekend break, a result that highlighted both England’s resurgence and Pakistan’s stark deficiencies.
One of the more amusing side‑notes was fast‑bowler Josh Tongue being able to catch the kickoff of Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Hull City on Saturday. That was possible largely because England dominated the contest, while Pakistan’s sub‑par performance left the game finished well before the tea break on Friday. In fact, the match that began on Wednesday was already concluded by the time the clock struck five on Friday.
Had the weather held up for the first two days, the encounter might even have wrapped up on Thursday evening. The rapid pace of this encounter mirrors the early‑summer reset England experienced against New Zealand at Lord’s.
In both cases the speed of the game made it difficult to gauge how much genuine progress had been made. In June, against the Black Caps, the infamous "Bazball" approach was hampered by a treacherous pitch that limited the Test to just 166 overs.
This week at Headingley, it was Pakistan’s lack of quality that forced the game to finish after 175.3 overs. Leeds offered a decent surface, but it was Pakistan’s batting, bowling and fielding that proved woefully inadequate. The tourists were shocked on all three fronts, and while England’s performance should be praised, the Pakistani shortcomings must be taken into account when assessing the overall picture. **England’s Ratings: Robinson and Tongue Shine** Root did not try to imitate Ben Stokes; instead he charted his own course.
While it is still premature to label this a permanent new England – head coach Stephen Fleming has yet to arrive in the country, although he did speak to Root by phone during the Headingley Test – there were clear take‑aways, especially regarding captaincy. Root entered the match after a difficult first stint as skipper, during which a string of defeats and the constraints of Covid bubbles left him looking battered. On his home ground, however, he appeared rejuvenated, guiding England to a record‑extending 28th win under his leadership.
He moved from his usual slip position to mid‑off, putting himself closer to the bowlers, and later shifted to leg‑slip to take a crucial catch off Jofra Archer, dismissing Azan Awais. A notable tactical decision came when Root pulled Archer from the attack after just two ineffective overs with the new ball on day one.
This showed a willingness to make bold changes without trying to emulate Stokes’s more flamboyant style. Harry Brook, the vice‑captain, also displayed newfound maturity. Instead of relying on his trademark improvisational strokes, he adopted a more orthodox, restrained approach, waiting for Pakistan to offer a loose delivery before unleashing his talent.
Brook told Sky Sports that he deliberately avoided "rash shots" and preferred to let the bowlers err. If he can blend this measured mindset with his natural brilliance, his ceiling is virtually limitless. England’s batting as a unit was solid and clinical – a far cry from the reckless "Bazball" brand. The middle order showed depth, with Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence delivering 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. Pakistan’s double collapse meant we could not fully evaluate whether Lawrence should become the primary spin option alongside the four‑man pace attack. He bowled only one over, and the success of the fast quartet – Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson – suggests a frontline spinner may not be needed for the next Test. While a spinner could improve the over‑rate, England’s strength clearly lies in its quicks.
The overarching lesson, however, is the stark disparity in quality. Pakistan were missing their captain and premier batsman Babar Azam due to a hand injury and were forced to bat first under overcast skies after losing the toss.
While Pakistan has a history of miraculous comebacks, their current batting line‑up appears ill‑adjusted to English conditions, their bowling lacks the venom that once defined their attack, and their fielding at Headingley was frankly appalling. The sparse presence of Pakistani supporters in the stadium was also telling, hinting at a waning connection between the team and its fan base.
Looking ahead, the series could become a long‑running saga for Pakistan but a brief spectacle for viewers, especially if England secure quick victories at Lord’s and Edgbaston, provided the weather cooperates. Babar’s eventual return will undoubtedly bolster the Pakistani batting, yet their pace attack still lacks the express speed and swing that legends like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Qadir once provided.
The current unit feels homogenised and predictable. England has embraced a series of resets lately; perhaps it is Pakistan’s turn to undergo a similar overhaul after losing 14 of their last 19 Tests. While a weekend off is always welcome, it is unlikely to be a pleasant respite for Pakistan after a match that could hardly have gone worse. Fans can catch 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 for the first ball).
All matches are broadcast live on Sky Sports with 11 am start times across the UK and Ireland.