Former England captain Nasser Hussain lauded Joe Root’s calm and confident comeback to the role of skipper after England recorded a crushing three‑day victory over Pakistan at Headingley, winning by an innings and 103 runs in the opening Test. The win was anchored by a comprehensive all‑round display: bowlers Josh Tongue (8‑89) and Ollie Robinson (8‑80) spearheaded the attack, while vice‑captain Harry Brook’s 91, Jordan Cox’s 73 and Root’s own 66 helped England amass a total of 409 in their sole innings. Hussain drew a clear line between Root’s current captaincy and the approach he took during his previous spell between 2017 and 2022, emphasizing that the current iteration of the England leader feels refreshed and more self‑assured. "The biggest story of this Test was Joe Root," Hussain told Sky Sports Cricket.
"He told Michael Atherton in an interview, ‘Don’t judge me on how I performed last time, judge me on how I am now.’ If you had been at the ground and watched Joe over the past three days – even if the opposition was a struggling Pakistan side – you would have seen a captain who looked genuinely pleased with his performance." He praised the strategic choices made by the England camp, noting that the decision to forgo a specialist spinner was influenced both by the absence of Ben Stokes and by the conditions of the toss. "The balance of the side worked out well," Hussain said. "Root’s batting, his field placements and his overall leadership were spot on." When asked whether Root was trying to emulate Stokes, Hussain was emphatic that it was not the case. "It wasn’t about trying to be Stokes.
It was simply Joe Root being himself. He had a smile on his face and seemed completely at ease." He contrasted this performance with the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, where Root had been thrust into the captaincy on short notice – a situation Hussain described as a "hospital pass". "He looked a little dishevelled by the end of that match and didn’t produce his best cricket as a leader," Hussain reflected. "What we saw at Headingley, however, was a very positive sign of his growth." Hussain also highlighted a shift in the team’s overall mindset compared with the Stokes era.
While Stokes had occasionally been criticised for a lack of meticulousness, the current England side displayed a new level of maturity, especially evident in the conduct of vice‑captain Harry Brook. "Listening to Harry’s interview this morning, you could sense a more measured response. He said, ‘We have looked at ourselves,’ which shows a reflective attitude rather than the blunt ‘Bazball’ mantra of ‘this is how we play and we don’t care what anyone thinks.’" He added that the team seemed to have absorbed the best elements of both Brendon McCullum’s aggressive philosophy and Stokes’s instinctive flair, while adding a measured, thoughtful approach. "Root told Atherton that there are good bits to take forward from both McCullum and Stokes.
The tempo of the batting was right, partly because they were given a full ball each over, and that contributed to the maturity we observed on the field." Stuart Broad, another senior England figure, turned his attention to the spectacular debut of Josh Tongue, who claimed eight wickets. Broad declared Tongue "England’s best bowler" and "the trump card" for the side at the moment. He praised Tongue’s fitness and consistency, noting that the bowler had finally overcome the injury‑interrupted spell that had plagued him for six or seven years.
"He looks fit, bowls a good number of overs without having to stop and start, and that durability is exactly what England needs to succeed over the coming year," Broad said. The triumph at Headingley not only reinforced England’s dominance over Pakistan but also signalled a potential turning point in the team’s leadership dynamics. Root’s ability to blend confidence with humility, to make tactical decisions without over‑relying on a single style, and to inspire his teammates with a calm demeanor suggests that England may have found a captain who can sustain success across varied conditions.
Looking ahead, the next Test will be played at Lord’s, where England will aim to replicate the same level of composure and strategic clarity. Fans can follow the live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app.
The series continues to provide a platform for England to refine its approach, blending the aggressive spirit of recent years with a newfound maturity that could define the team’s identity for the rest of the season.