We assess England's performers after their dominant 194-run, series‑sealing win over Pakistan at Lord's, where the pace attack once more stole the spotlight. The Test itself was largely forgettable, highlighted mainly by the fact that England's opening batsman survived just 26 balls across both innings. He was among several batters who felt a shade of bad luck when they were dismissed leg‑before‑wicket in the first innings to deliveries that initially seemed to be heading over the stumps, only for a timely Pakistani review to overturn the on‑field call. His second‑innings dismissal was more straightforward – a mistimed flick that was caught cleanly at mid‑off.
The narrative of misfortune continued for Gay, who was twice denied by the LBW law. In the first innings, Mohammad Rizwan produced a spectacular diving catch off a modest leg‑side edge, while in the rain‑affected third day a low‑bouncing delivery trapped Gay LBW when the batting conditions were at their toughest.
Despite these setbacks, Gay had shown determination, batting resolutely until the close of play on the second evening – a trait that has been evident since his debut earlier in the summer. However, his place in the side is now under scrutiny, especially with Jacob Bethell still absent and other emerging talents eager for a chance. One of those aspirants is Tom Cox, who is pushing for a permanent berth after registering 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 encounter, Cox admitted, "This could be your only shot, make sure this counts." He has indeed come close to making that shot count, displaying composure in the middle order reminiscent of his performance at Headingley.
A century again eluded him, this time because of a spectacular slip catch taken by Salman Ali Agha – arguably one of the finest catches seen in recent memory. England captain Ben Root also attracted attention, this time for a worrying pattern of LBW dismissals. Michael Atherton of Sky Sports noted, "It is fascinating that even a player with more than 160 Tests and an average above 50 – one of England's greatest ever – can still be vulnerable to a developing LBW trend." Root fell leg‑before‑wicket in both innings, marking his seventh such dismissal this summer and nine in his last twelve Tests.
While LBWs have risen across the board in seamer‑friendly conditions, Root will be keen to break the pattern with a big score at the forthcoming Edgbaston Test. Joe Brook’s contributions were understated by his run tally but significant in substance.
In the second innings he navigated a testing period on the second evening with caution before forging a promising partnership with Dan Lawrence on day three, when the pitch was at its most challenging. Brook’s first‑innings wicket came when he edged a faint shoulder shot to Rizwan, who stood up to the stumps and appealed for LBW off Mohammad Abbas. Throughout the summer Brook has been a reliable slip fielder, taking a catch to dismiss Azan Awais on eight runs and later helping secure a 46‑run partnership in the first innings.
Dan Lawrence continues to stake his claim for a permanent place, especially at the No 6 slot that England are looking to fill after Ben Stokes’ departure. While Lawrence may never replicate Stokes’ extraordinary feats, he brings a similar counter‑attacking flair. His second‑innings half‑century under testing conditions demonstrated his ability to accelerate the scoring rate when needed.
Additionally, his part‑time off‑spin offers a useful variety to complement England’s four‑pronged pace attack, a combination that has yet to be fully exploited. A welcome return to form was also evident from Ben Smith, who smashed 61 runs off 80 balls in the first innings, hitting ten boundaries.
This aggressive approach harks back to the early days of his Test career, when he was praised for his attacking instincts before a slump during a difficult Ashes series prompted criticism. Smith admitted to Sky Sports Cricket that "I have found it tough" during that period, but his recent performances suggest he is regaining confidence.
His wicket‑keeping, particularly when standing up to the stumps, also earned him additional credit. The seam attack remained the headline.
Sam Atkinson, traditionally a first‑change bowler, has found himself relegated to the second change due to the dominance of Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue. While Atkinson has not been ineffective – his spell before tea on the fourth afternoon was a standout – he has taken only one wicket in the series so far and will be eager to make an impact at Edgbaston. His batting, however, was a bright spot; he scored a confident 45 at Lord's, the ground where he previously recorded a Test hundred.
Robinson’s figures were nothing short of spectacular. He claimed match figures of 8‑35 from 27 overs, showcasing a blend of swing, seam and relentless accuracy. The Englishman now boasts 99 wickets in 23 Tests at an average of 19.53, with an even more impressive 15.45 average at Lord's and a jaw‑dropping 8.34 average for the three Tests this summer. Nasser Hussain of Sky Sports praised Robinson, saying, "In these conditions he is England's best bowler, and for someone who was out of the side for a long time to return and dominate like this is a remarkable achievement." Jofra Archer also delivered a fiery spell, averaging 90.7 mph with occasional deliveries touching 94 mph, according to CricViz.
He dismissed Shan Masood caught behind and repeatedly threatened both edges of the bat, though the Pakistani batsmen managed to survive many of his deliveries. In the second innings Archer’s bouncer rattled Babar Azam, and together with Robinson reduced Pakistan to 14‑3 early on, delivering another devastating new‑ball burst. Josh Tongue proved his worth by removing Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam just before lunch on day two and then dismantling the tail in the second innings. He also trapped Saud Shakeel, who was well set for a century, just three runs short of the milestone.
While Tongue’s economy can be a concern, especially against left‑handers where he has occasionally leaked runs at over five per over, his ability to take wickets at crucial moments remains invaluable. He also contributed with the bat, scoring a quick 47 in a last‑wicket partnership with Atkinson, showcasing his all‑round potential. Overall, England’s three‑match series this summer produced three Player‑of‑the‑Match awards, underscoring the individual brilliance on display.
As the team prepares for the final Test at Edgbaston, the focus will be on maintaining the potency of the seam attack, addressing the LBW vulnerability of the top order, and solidifying the middle‑order positions with players like Cox, Lawrence and Smith. If they can sustain the momentum built at Lord's, England will be well‑placed to close the series on a high note and head into the next phase of the summer with confidence.