Former England captain Nasser Hussain lauded Joe Root’s calm and confident comeback to the role of skipper after England delivered a crushing three‑day victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley. England posted a massive 409 in their only innings, thanks to a blend of solid batting and incisive bowling, and then dismissed the visitors by an innings and 103 runs.
The win highlighted a well‑balanced side and a captain who seemed rejuvenated. Hussain pointed out that the atmosphere surrounding Root’s second spell as captain differed markedly from his earlier tenure between 2017 and 2022. He praised the way Root approached the challenge, noting that the England leader appeared refreshed and ready to lead without trying to mimic anyone else, especially not his predecessor Ben Stokes. "The biggest thing about this Test match was Joe Root," Hussain said during his interview on Sky Sports Cricket.
"He told Michael Atherton, ‘judge me not on how I was last time, but how I am now.’" The former England batsman explained that anyone who had watched Root’s performance over the three days – even against a relatively weak Pakistani side – would recognise a captain who had a genuinely good three‑day stint. The decision to omit a specialist spinner from the playing XI, a move partly forced by Stokes’ absence, also suited the team.
The toss, the way Root batted, and his field‑placement choices all contributed to a cohesive performance. “It was never about trying to be Stokes,” Hussain emphasized.
“It was just Joe Root being Joe, with a smile on his face.” He contrasted this with the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, where Root was thrust into the interim captaincy under pressure and appeared dishevelled by the end, never quite finding his best form. In Headingley, however, Root seemed to thrive, a sign Hussain described as a “positive sign” for England’s future. Hussain also noted a shift in the team’s overall mindset compared with the era under Stokes, who had sometimes been criticised for a lack of attention to detail.
The current side displayed a new level of maturity, especially from vice‑captain Harry Brook, who gave a thoughtful interview after the match. "I sensed a maturity about their performance on and off the field," Hussain said. "Brook’s answers were more considered – ‘we have had a look at ourselves’ – rather than the ‘Bazball’ swagger of ‘this is the only way we play and we don’t care what you think.’" According to Hussain, England now seem to be blending the best elements of the aggressive McCullum‑Stokes style with a more measured approach. He praised the batting tempo, noting that the batsmen were able to play full, uninterrupted deliveries each over, which helped them settle into their rhythm.
"There’s a bit more maturity to their performance," he added, suggesting that the team’s evolution could yield sustained success. The bowling display also attracted high praise. Josh Tongue’s eight‑wicket haul (8‑89) and Ollie Robinson’s eight‑wicket effort (8‑80) formed the backbone of the innings‑and‑runs win.
Stuart Broad, England’s veteran fast bowler, singled out Tongue as perhaps the most valuable bowler in the England setup at the moment. "I think he’s England’s best bowler," Broad said on Sky Sports.
"He’s our trump card right now, the most valuable bowler we have." Broad highlighted Tongue’s fitness and consistency, noting that the bowler has finally shed the injury‑prone reputation that plagued him for six or seven years. "He looks fit, he’s bowling a good amount of overs, keeping his rhythm rather than stopping and starting because of niggles," Broad explained. "That’s the key for England’s success over the next year – a fit, reliable bowler who can maintain form and stay healthy." The match also featured strong contributions from the middle order.
Vice‑captain Harry Brook scored a brisk 91, while Jordan Cox added 73, and Root himself contributed a steady 66. Their combined efforts propelled England to a formidable total, allowing the bowlers to apply pressure from the outset. In summary, Hussain’s analysis painted a picture of an England side that has matured beyond the raw aggression of the Bazball era, adopting a more balanced, thoughtful approach under a captain who is comfortable in his own skin.
The blend of disciplined bowling, resilient batting, and a captain who leads with confidence rather than imitation suggests a promising path forward for the Three Lions. The victory also underscores the importance of strategic selections, such as the decision to play without a frontline spinner, and the value of experienced players like Broad endorsing emerging talents like Tongue.
As England prepares for the second Test at Lord’s, the team appears to have found a new equilibrium that could serve them well throughout the series and beyond.