We assess England's squad following their decisive 194-run victory over Pakistan at Lord's, a win that once more highlighted the potency of the seam attack. The Test itself was largely forgettable, with the England opening batsman surviving just 26 balls across both innings.
Several batsmen seemed unlucky, falling to lbw decisions in the first innings after reviews showed the ball was missing the stumps, only to be dismissed when the third‑man review overturned the on‑field call. In the second innings his dismissal was more straightforward – a mistimed flick that was caught cleanly at mid‑off. The match commentary repeatedly reminded viewers to use Chrome for the best video experience, and fans could stream the England‑Pakistan clash via NOW, listen to the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, or download the Sky Sports app for full coverage. Gay also suffered misfortune in both innings.
In the first, Mohammad Rizwan produced a spectacular diving catch off a modest leg‑side glance, while in the rain‑affected third day a low‑bouncing delivery trapped him lbw at a moment when batting was at its most difficult. Gay had shown resilience by batting through the second evening, a trait evident since his debut earlier in the summer, but his place is under scrutiny as Jacob Bethell remains unavailable and other contenders press for selection. One of those hopefuls is Tom Cox, who is pushing for a permanent spot after notching a second half‑century in as many Tests since being recalled to replace the injured Bethell at number three. Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket before the Lord's Test, Cox admitted, "This could be your only shot, make sure this counts." He has come close to capitalising on that chance, displaying confidence in the middle order much as he did at Headingley.
A century again eluded him, this time due to an extraordinary slip catch taken by Salman Ali Agha – arguably one of the finest catches ever witnessed in the format. The discussion turned to whether England captain Joe Root has an lbw problem. Michael Atherton of Sky Sports noted, "It is fascinating that even a player with over 160 Tests and an average above 50 – one of England's greatest ever – is still vulnerable to a rising trend of lbw dismissals." Root fell leg‑before‑wicket in both innings, marking his seventh such dismissal this summer and ninth in his last twelve Tests.
While many batsmen have suffered similar fates in seamer‑friendly conditions, Root will be keen to rectify the issue with a big score at the upcoming Edgbaston Test. Jonny Brook's performance was better than his modest run tally suggested, especially in the second innings where he navigated a tricky period on the second evening before forging a promising partnership with Dan Lawrence on day three, despite the toughest conditions.
In the first innings, Brook was bowled by a lethal in‑ducker from Mohammad Ali, while a faint shoulder‑edge to Rizwan resulted in a close‑call lbw decision involving Mohammad Abbas. Brook has been a reliable slip catcher all summer, and his safe hands contributed to the dismissal of Azan Awais, who made eight runs before being caught. Lawrence continues to stake his claim for a regular place, particularly in the No 6 slot that England are eager to fill after Ben Stokes' departure.
While he cannot replicate Stokes' extraordinary feats, Lawrence offers a similar counter‑attacking flair, evident in his second‑innings half‑century under testing conditions. His part‑time off‑spin also adds balance to England's four‑pronged pace attack, which, despite its depth, has yet to be fully utilised. A welcome return to form came from Ben Smith, who struck 61 off 80 balls in the first innings, hitting ten boundaries. His aggressive style was the hallmark of his early Test career, though a prolonged slump during the Ashes led to criticism.
Smith admitted to Sky Sports Cricket that "I have found it tough" during that period, but his sharp keeping – especially when standing up to the stumps – earned him additional praise. Bowling figures for the match highlighted the challenges faced by England's seamers. Sam Atkinson, often relegated to second change, struggled to find his preferred end as the team’s strike bowlers – Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue – dominated the new‑ball duties. Atkinson's spell before tea on day four was impressive, yet he has taken only one wicket in the series and will be eager to make an impact at Edgbaston.
His batting, however, was a bright spot; he scored 45 at Lord's, the ground where he previously recorded a Test century. Robinson delivered a career‑defining performance, claiming 8‑35 across 27 overs with exquisite seam movement. He now boasts 99 wickets in 23 Tests at an average of 19.53, which improves dramatically to 15.45 at Lord's and an astonishing 8.34 for his three summer appearances.
Nasser Hussain of Sky Sports Cricket praised Robinson, saying, "In these conditions he is England's best bowler. For someone who was out of the side for a long time to return and become the leading bowler is a remarkable achievement." Archer also impressed, with his opening spell averaging 90.7 mph and occasionally touching 94 mph, as recorded by CricViz. He dismissed Shan Masood caught behind and repeatedly threatened both edges, though wickets were hard to come by until he helped dismantle the tail later in the innings.
In the second innings, Archer’s bouncer forced Babar Azam onto the back foot, contributing to a devastating new‑ball spell that reduced Pakistan to 14‑3. Josh Tongue proved his worth by removing Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam before lunch on day two, then again in the second innings.
He also trapped Saud Shakeel, who edged a hook shot just three runs short of a well‑deserved century. While Tongue occasionally leaks runs, particularly to left‑handers – a point that will need addressing – his overall contribution remains vital. He even contributed with the bat, scoring 47 runs in a last‑wicket partnership with Atkinson, showcasing his all‑round capability.
Overall, England's seam attack has been the decisive factor in sealing the series, with each bowler bringing a unique blend of pace, accuracy and aggression. The batting unit, while showing flashes of brilliance from players like Cox, Lawrence, and Smith, will need to address the recurring lbw issue and convert starts into larger scores as they head into the final Test at Edgbaston. The series has also highlighted the depth of talent waiting in the wings, with players such as Bethell and others eager for their chance to cement a place in the England side.