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 Saturday‑lunchtime Premier League fixture against Hull City, a perk that stemmed as much from England’s dominance as from Pakistan’s shortcomings. The contest began on a Wednesday and was wrapped up before the tea interval on Friday.
Had the weather held up over the first two days, the game might even have finished on Thursday evening. This rapid pace mirrors the reset England experienced at the start of the summer when they faced New Zealand at Lord’s; the speed of play made it difficult to gauge how much genuine progress had been achieved. In June, against the Black Caps, the final phase of the Bazball experiment was curtailed largely by a sub‑standard pitch, limiting the Test to just 166 overs. At Headingley this week, the decisive factor was Pakistan’s lack of quality, which saw the match end after 175.3 overs.
The pitch in Leeds was respectable, but Pakistan’s batting, bowling and fielding were all below par, delivering a shock on every front. While England’s performance should not be entirely eclipsed by Pakistan’s myriad problems, the home side’s display was nonetheless commendable.
England’s bowlers, particularly Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue, shone, and the team’s overall rating rose as a result. Root did not attempt to imitate Ben Stokes’s flamboyant style. Instead, he made pragmatic adjustments that reflected a maturing captaincy. After a bruising first stint that saw him endure a series of defeats and navigate the challenges of Covid bubbles, Root appeared refreshed on his home ground, securing a record‑extending 28th win as captain.
One tactical shift saw him move from slip to mid‑off, placing him nearer to his bowlers, while a later move to leg‑slip paid dividends when he took a catch off Jofra Archer to dismiss Azan Awais. Root also demonstrated a ruthless side by pulling Archer from the attack after two ineffective overs with the new ball on day one, showing a willingness to make bold changes without trying to emulate Stokes’s more charismatic leadership. Harry Brook’s innings illustrated another evolution.
The vice‑captain abandoned the free‑wheeling, high‑risk strokes that had characterised his earlier play and adopted a more orthodox, restrained approach. "There was no need for any rash shots," he told Sky Sports, explaining that he preferred to wait for Pakistan to err – and they did, repeatedly – rather than force the action. If Brook can blend this measured temperament with his natural flair, his potential is virtually limitless.
England’s batting as a unit was assured and devoid of the chaotic Bazball style that has sometimes defined their recent play. Instead, they displayed positive, clinical stroke‑making against an admittedly feeble and wasteful Pakistani attack. The depth of England’s middle order was on full display, with Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence providing 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, suggesting that England have cultivated a robust pool of talent beyond their star players.
Pakistan’s double collapse meant we could not fully assess whether Lawrence should become the primary spin option in a four‑bowler attack that might replace Stokes in the long term. Lawrence bowled only a single over in the game, and the success of the pace quartet – Robinson, Tongue, Archer and Gus Atkinson – makes it unlikely that a frontline spinner will be selected for the next Test.
While a spinner could improve the over‑rate, England’s strength clearly lies with their quicks. The most striking takeaway, however, is the stark contrast in quality between the two sides.
Pakistan were missing their captain and premier batsman Babar Azam due to a hand injury and were unlucky to lose the toss, forcing them to bat under overcast skies on day one. Although Pakistan have a reputation for dramatic comebacks, the current lineup seemed ill‑adjusted to English conditions, their bowling lacked the venom that once defined their pace legends, and their fielding at Headingley was, frankly, appalling.
The sparse attendance of Pakistani fans added to the disappointment, hinting at a waning connection between the team and its supporters. Looking ahead, the series could become a prolonged ordeal for Pakistan, with England likely to secure quick victories at Lord’s and Edgbaston provided the weather cooperates. Babar’s return will undoubtedly strengthen the batting order, but the pace attack still lacks the express speed and mystery that made Pakistan a feared force in earlier eras, when names like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Qadir dominated.
England have been embracing a series of resets lately, and perhaps Pakistan need a similar overhaul after losing 14 of their last 19 Tests. While a weekend off is a welcome respite for English fans, it is unlikely to be a pleasant break for the Pakistani camp after a match that could scarcely have been worse. The second Test at Lord’s promises to be another opportunity for England to assert their dominance, with live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event starting at 10 am on Thursday (11 am first ball).
All fixtures will be streamed on NOW, and all games will be broadcast live across the UK and Ireland.