Joe Root’s comeback as England’s Test captain could not have been more auspicious – a three‑day victory followed by a weekend break. The swift conclusion of the match also gave fast‑bowler Josh Tongue the chance to catch up on his favourite Manchester United Premier League fixture against Hull City, a luxury that stemmed as much from England’s dominance as from Pakistan’s glaring shortcomings. The contest, which kicked off on a Wednesday, was wrapped up before the tea interval on Friday. Had the weather held up over the first two days, the game might even have been sealed by Thursday evening.
This rapid pace mirrors the reset England enjoyed earlier in the summer when they faced New Zealand at Lord’s, where the speed of play made it difficult to gauge the true extent of any progress. In June, against the Black Caps, the deteriorating pitch was the main reason the Test lasted a mere 166 overs – the infamous "Bazball" era was curtailed by conditions. At Headingley this week, it was Pakistan’s lack of quality that forced the match to finish after just 175.3 overs.
The pitch itself was serviceable, but Pakistan’s batting, bowling and fielding were all sub‑par, delivering a shock on every front. While England’s performance deserves praise, Pakistan’s myriad problems cannot be ignored. The home side’s ratings rose, with Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue standing out, and Root resisted the urge to copy Ben Stokes’ flamboyance.
It is still premature to draw sweeping conclusions about this new England under permanent coach Stephen Fleming, who has yet to set foot in the country but spoke with Root during the Headingley Test. Nonetheless, a few lessons emerged, particularly concerning Root’s captaincy.
Root, a Yorkshireman, entered the match after a difficult first spell in charge that saw a string of defeats and the challenges of navigating Covid bubbles. On his home turf, however, he appeared revitalised, securing a record‑extending 28th win as captain.
He shifted his fielding position from slip to mid‑off to stay closer to his bowlers, and later moved to leg‑slip, where he took a crucial catch off Jofra Archer to dismiss Azan Awais. Root also demonstrated tactical acuity by pulling Archer from the attack after two ineffective new‑ball overs on day one. These adjustments showed a willingness to fine‑tune the game plan without trying to emulate Stokes’ aggressive style.
Harry Brook, the vice‑captain, displayed a newfound maturity. Rather than relying on reckless, improvisational strokes, he adopted a more orthodox, restrained approach, waiting for Pakistan to deliver a loose delivery before unleashing his talent. Brook told Sky Sports that he deliberately avoided “rash shots,” preferring to let the opposition err.
If he can blend this measured mindset with his natural brilliance, his ceiling is virtually limitless. England’s batting as a unit was confident and clinical – there was no trace of the high‑risk Bazball philosophy. The middle order proved its depth, with Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence posting 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 England could not test whether Lawrence should become the primary spin option alongside a four‑pronged pace attack. Lawrence bowled only a single over, and the success of the fast quartet – Robinson, Tongue, Archer and Gus Atkinson – suggests a specialist spinner may not be required for the next Test.
While a spinner could improve the over‑rate, England’s strength clearly lies in its quicks. The overarching takeaway is that Pakistan’s side is simply not competitive at this moment. They 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.
Although Pakistan have a history of dramatic comebacks, the current lineup appears ill‑adjusted to English conditions, their bowling lacks the venom that once defined their fast‑bowling legends, and their fielding at Headingley was substandard. The sparse attendance of Pakistani supporters added to the sense of disconnect between the team and its fan base.
This lack of enthusiasm may reflect broader issues within Pakistan cricket, which has lost 14 of its last 19 Tests and appears overdue for a comprehensive reset. Looking ahead, the series could be a long one for Pakistan in terms of schedule but a short one in terms of actual cricket played, especially if England secure quick victories at Lord’s and Edgbaston, assuming the weather remains cooperative. Babar’s eventual return will undoubtedly strengthen the batting order, yet the pace attack still lacks the express speed and swing that made Pakistan feared in the past through the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Qadir. England have embraced a series of resets lately, and perhaps it is Pakistan’s turn to undergo a similar transformation.
While England can relish a weekend off, Pakistan is likely to spend theirs reflecting on a match that could hardly have gone worse. The second Test at Lord’s will be streamed live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 am (11 am first ball) on Thursday, with additional coverage on NOW. All games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with 11 am starts across the UK and Ireland.