We have assessed the performances of England’s squad following their dominant innings victory over Pakistan at Headingley, a win that gave Joe Root’s side a 1-0 advantage in the three‑match Test series. Starting with the lower order, Duckett found himself in a peculiar situation because Pakistan’s bowlers did not force England to bat a second time. Consequently, after a brisk 28‑ball cameo that yielded 15 runs in his first innings, he was unable to add any further runs in a follow‑on effort.
The opening batsman, who has rediscovered his confidence after a difficult Ashes campaign and has impressed in the series against New Zealand as well as in The Hundred, will be looking to assume a more pivotal role when the team moves to Lord’s and Edgbaston for the remaining Tests. Graham ("Gay") entered the match fresh from a pair of dismissals in a warm‑up game, so nerves were understandable.
He quickly settled those nerves by striking a series of clean, well‑timed boundaries before being caught shortly after Duckett’s wicket fell. The Durham‑born bowler shows a susceptibility to balls that angle across his line, yet his early Test career has already produced two half‑centuries against New Zealand, indicating considerable promise. A big innings is likely on the horizon for him.
Cox, who may only be holding the No 3 slot until Jacob Bethell recovers from a knee injury, made a strong case for a permanent place by compiling an authoritative fifty after the first wicket fell. While some of his runs were aided by sub‑par Pakistani bowling, he still demonstrated the temperament required at this level. His future may well lie in the specialist wicket‑keeper‑batter role, where a string of impressive performances could see him challenge Jamie Smith for that job. Defensively, Cox also contributed in the field, taking two catches at slip on the third and final day in Leeds, one of which was a spectacular diving effort after the ball rose off Smith’s thigh.
Joe Root, back at the helm as permanent captain, seemed to turn everything he touched into gold, apart from a few tentative shots and a less‑than‑stellar review on day two. His batting was, as usual, a masterclass, and his captaincy was exemplary.
Winning the toss, he elected to bowl Pakistan in overcast conditions, a decision that paid dividends. Root spent much of the innings at mid‑off, where he could hear his bowlers and offer guidance. He also displayed a ruthless side by hooking Jofra Archer after two modest overs in the first innings.
His unconventional field placements, including a brief stint at leg‑slip, helped England secure only their third win in the last eleven Tests – a promising start to a new era. If concerns about maturity were the reason Ben Stokes was overlooked as the next Test skipper, then vice‑captain Ben Brook showed signs of growth at Headingley. His 91 runs, scored at a near‑run‑a‑ball pace, were aggressive yet measured.
Brook told Sky Sports after the match that the Headingley pitch did not require him to play “rash shots”, a habit he has been guilty of in the past. He narrowly missed a century, falling in the 90s for the second consecutive home Test, but his composure and timing were evident.
James Lawrence faced the unenviable task of filling Ben Stokes’s spot in the side. His part‑time spin was used for just one over as the game progressed quickly, but his batting shone: he hit nine fours in his fifty, showing a blend of power and occasional jitteriness.
Whether he will take on a larger bowling role depends on Pakistan’s improvement; if they become more competitive, England may need a genuine all‑rounder in the post‑Stokes era. Sam Curran’s injury suggests Lawrence could retain his place for the rest of the summer. Wicket‑keeper Jamie Smith was flawless behind the stumps, though he was frustrated by his own dismissal – a short ball that he padded to mid‑wicket without much thought.
Nonetheless, his exit came with the tail and did not affect the outcome. If he can consistently add runs and maintain his high standards with the gloves, his place in the side will be unquestioned.
If not, and if Cox continues to thrive, England may face a tough decision once Bethell is fit again. Fast bowler Tom Atkinson, much like his teammate Archer, appeared a little rusty in the first innings, likely due to a recent spell of white‑ball cricket with the Hundred champions Manchester Super Giants.
However, he improved in the second innings, claiming the only wicket of the match by clean‑bowling Mohammad Rizwan, which helped England edge closer to victory. This test saw Atkinson transition from a new‑ball specialist to a first‑change bowler, complementing Archer and Ollie Robinson, who shared the opening spell.
Robinson, returning after a niggle that kept him out of the opening match of the summer against New Zealand, displayed his usual skill and control. He dismissed Azan Awais lbw with the very first ball of the Test and continued to trouble the Pakistani batsmen with a probing line, subtle variations, and seam movement. While the conditions and a fragile batting line‑up aided his figures, his performance remains impressive.
Maintaining fitness will be crucial for his continued success. Jofra Archer struggled with rhythm and over‑reliance on leg‑side deliveries in the first innings, but he found his stride on day three.
Smiling and bowling with snap, he quickly dispatched openers Imam‑ul‑Haq and Azan, reducing Pakistan to 13‑2, before claiming the match‑winning wicket of Mohammad Abbas. Archer also contributed with the bat, hitting the only six of the game and adding two fours, helping England secure a first‑innings lead of more than 200 runs. The most striking visual of the match was the split‑ball incident: after both Tongue and Robinson each took a five‑wicket haul in the first innings, the ball appeared to be cut in half, with each bowler claiming a piece. Both ended the Test with eight wickets each, making the Player‑of‑the‑Match decision a close call.
Robinson ultimately received the award, but both seamers deserve a perfect 10‑out‑of‑10 rating. Tongue built on Robinson’s early success by breaking a 91‑run third‑wicket partnership early in Pakistan’s first innings and then dismantling the lower middle order. His three wickets after lunch on day three essentially ensured England would not face a fourth‑innings chase.
Hailed by Sky Sports’ Stuart Broad as England’s "best and most valuable bowler" and a "real trump card", Tongue is set to play a massive role going forward. He shone in the last Ashes and could be pivotal in the next series in 2027. The second Test between England and Pakistan will kick off at Lord’s, with live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 am (11 am for the first ball). Fans can stream the match contract‑free via NOW, and all games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports across the UK and Ireland.