Former England captain Nasser Hussain lauded Joe Root’s calm and confident comeback to the leadership role after England secured a crushing three‑day win over Pakistan at Headingley, triumphing by an innings and 103 runs in the opening Test. The victory was built on a comprehensive all‑round display: fast bowlers Josh Tongue (8 for 89) and Ollie Robinson (8 for 80) spearheaded the attack, while vice‑captain Harry Brook (91), Jordan Cox (73) and Root himself (66) propelled England to a first‑innings total of 409.
Hussain contrasted Root’s current captaincy style with his own tenure, which spanned from 2017 to 2022, and praised the renewed energy that the England skipper brought back to the role. "The biggest story in this match was Joe Root," Hussain told Sky Sports Cricket. He recalled a comment Root made to former England great Michael Atherton: "Judge me not on how I was last time, but how I am now." Hussain added that anyone who had watched Root over the three days at Headingley – even against a struggling Pakistan side – would agree that he had a superb spell as captain. The former skipper highlighted several tactical decisions that underpinned the win.
England chose not to include a specialist spinner, a move partly forced by the absence of Ben Stokes, but also driven by the toss and Root’s own strategic preferences. "It wasn’t about trying to be Stokes.
It was just Joe Root being Joe, with a smile on his face," Hussain said. He contrasted this with the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, where Root was thrust into the interim captaincy and appeared dishevelled, failing to deliver his best performance. According to Hussain, Root’s display at Headingley signalled a positive shift for England.
He also noted a change in approach from the previous captain, Stokes, who had been criticized for overlooking finer details. The current side, he observed, showed a new level of maturity, especially evident in vice‑captain Harry Brook’s measured interview after the match.
"You could sense more mature answers – ‘we have had a look at ourselves’ – rather than the ‘Bazball’ mantra of ‘this is the only way we play and we don’t care what you think’," Hussain explained. Hussain praised the balance between aggression and composure, saying England seemed to have absorbed the best elements of both Brendon McCullum’s attacking ethos and Stokes’s intensity, while adding a calmer, more reflective edge.
He felt the batting tempo was spot‑on, partly because the bowlers delivered a full complement of overs each spell, allowing the batsmen to settle and build partnerships. Stuart Broad, another senior England figure, turned his attention to Josh Tongue’s eight‑wicket haul, declaring the young paceman England’s most valuable bowler at the moment.
"He’s England’s trump card right now, the most valuable bowler we have," Broad said. He praised Tongue’s fitness and consistency, noting that the bowler had finally broken free from the injury‑related stop‑start pattern that had plagued his career for six or seven years. "He looks fit, bowls a good number of overs and keeps his rhythm. That’s the key for England’s success over the next year," Broad added.
The match also featured a strong supporting cast. Ollie Robinson’s eight wickets complemented Tongue’s effort, while the batting line‑up, anchored by Brook’s near‑century, delivered a solid platform that allowed the bowlers to apply relentless pressure.
Root’s own 66 runs, scored with characteristic composure, underscored his dual contribution as both batsman and captain. Beyond the statistics, Hussain emphasized the intangible qualities that made the performance stand out: the smile on Root’s face, the calm demeanor in the field, and the collective sense that England had matured both on and off the pitch. He suggested that this newfound maturity could be the foundation for sustained success, especially as the team navigates the challenges of a busy summer schedule. Looking ahead, England will aim to build on this momentum in the second Test at Lord’s and beyond.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app. The series promises more thrilling cricket, and with Root’s steady leadership, a balanced attack, and a revitalised squad spirit, England appears well‑positioned to continue its dominant run.