We evaluate England’s performers following their 194‑run, series‑sealing win over Pakistan at Lord’s, with the seam attack once more stealing the spotlight. The Test itself was largely forgettable, but it produced a handful of noteworthy individual stories that merit closer inspection. The England opener endured a particularly tough series, facing just 26 balls across his two innings at Lord’s. In the first innings he was adjudged leg‑before‑wicket to a delivery that, at first glance, seemed destined to miss the stumps.
A timely Pakistani review overturned the on‑field call and the decision stood. His second‑innings dismissal was more straightforward – a mistimed flick that flew straight to mid‑off and was caught without any controversy.
One could argue that the opener was unlucky in both innings. In the first, Mohammad Rizwan produced a spectacular diving catch off a modest leg‑side glance, turning what could have been a valuable run into a dismissal.
In the second innings, a low‑bouncing delivery caught the batsman in front of the pad, again resulting in an lbw. Rizwan’s fielding heroics have been a bright spot for Pakistan, yet his own place in the side is under scrutiny.
Jacob Bethell remains unavailable, and several younger players are knocking on the door for a permanent spot. Enter Haseeb Cox, a player who has been vying for a regular role ever since he was drafted back into the side to replace the injured Bethell at number three. In this Test he produced his second fifty in as many matches, underscoring his growing confidence.
Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket before the Lord’s encounter, Cox admitted, "This could be your only shot, make sure this counts." He has certainly tried to make the most of that chance, playing with composure at the crease much as he did at Headingley earlier in the summer. Although a century still eluded him – he was caught at slip by Salman Ali Agha in a spectacular fashion that will be replayed for years – his half‑century demonstrated that he can occupy the top order when required.
England captain Ben Root continues to wrestle with a persistent lbw problem. Michael Atherton, former England great and Sky Sports analyst, noted that even a player of Root’s pedigree – over 160 Tests and an average above 50 – can fall prey to a trend that sees him dismissed leg‑before‑wicket in both innings of this match, marking his seventh lbw of the summer and nine in his last twelve Test innings. The rise in lbw dismissals across the series reflects the seamer‑friendly conditions that have dominated England’s home summer, but it also highlights a technical area Root will be eager to improve before the final Test at Edgbaston. Other batsmen have shown resilience despite modest scores.
Tom Brook, for instance, contributed more than his run tally suggests. In the second innings he negotiated a difficult period on the second evening with caution, then forged a promising partnership with Dan Lawrence on day three when the pitch was at its toughest.
Brook’s dismissal came after a faint shoulder‑edge that was caught by Rizwan off Mohammad Abbas, illustrating how thin the margin can be between survival and a wicket in such conditions. Lawrence, batting at number six, is staking a claim for a permanent place.
While he may never replicate the extraordinary feats of Ben Stokes, his counter‑attacking mindset and ability to score quick half‑centuries in testing conditions provide England with a valuable balance. Moreover, his part‑time off‑spin offers a useful fourth option alongside the four‑pronged pace attack that has been England’s primary weapon this summer. All-rounder Moeen Ali also returned to form with the bat, scoring a brisk 61 off 80 balls in the first innings, punctuated by ten boundaries.
His aggressive approach mirrors the style that made him a fan favourite early in his Test career, though he has faced criticism during the recent Ashes defeat when runs dried up. Moeen admitted to Sky Sports Cricket that he has found it "tough" lately, but his ability to score quickly and his reliable wicket‑keeping when standing up to the stumps earned him additional credit in this match. Turning to the bowlers, the series has highlighted England’s depth in seam.
Sam Atkinson has felt the squeeze of a four‑bowler attack, often relegated to second change and denied the longer spells he thrives on. With Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue all performing strongly, opportunities have been limited. Nonetheless, Atkinson’s pacey spell before tea on the fourth afternoon was a standout, and his 45‑run knock at Lord’s – the venue of his Test hundred – reminded everyone of his all‑round potential. Robinson, meanwhile, delivered a career‑defining performance, claiming 8‑35 from 27 overs with immaculate seam control.
The figures pushed his career tally to 99 wickets in 23 Tests at an average of 19.53, and his average at Lord’s has plummeted to an astonishing 15.45. Nasser Hussain praised Robinson, saying that despite questions about his ability on slower, turning pitches, he is currently England’s most effective bowler in seam‑friendly conditions. Robinson’s resurgence after a prolonged absence from the side underscores the importance of perseverance and adaptability. Jofra Archer’s opening spell was another highlight.
According to CricViz, Archer averaged 90.7 mph, touching 94 mph on a few deliveries, and claimed the wicket of Shan Masood caught behind. He kept the pressure on both edges of the bat throughout his spell, even though the Pakistani batsmen managed to survive several close calls. Archer’s aggressive bouncer in the second innings helped reduce Pakistan to 14‑3, reinforcing his reputation as a genuine strike bowler.
Josh Tongue also made his mark, dismissing Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam before turning his attention to the tail. He trapped Saud Shakeel in a hook shot that fell just short of a century, demonstrating his knack for breaking partnerships. While Tongue can be a little expensive against left‑handers – conceding over five runs per over in some spells – his ability to take wickets at crucial moments remains invaluable.
The match also featured a memorable 47‑run partnership for the last wicket between Tongue and Atkinson, adding some much‑needed runs and a touch of excitement to an otherwise gritty innings. Looking ahead, England will travel to Edgbaston for the final Test of the series.
The team will need to address Root’s lbw vulnerability, ensure Atkinson gets sufficient overs to showcase his skill, and continue to harness the firepower of Robinson, Archer and Tongue. If the seamers maintain their current form and the middle order can convert starts into substantial scores, England should be well‑placed to clinch the series convincingly. Overall, the Lord’s Test reinforced the narrative that England’s seam attack is the backbone of their summer, while the batting order, though occasionally fragile, contains several players – Cox, Lawrence, Moeen and the ever‑reliable Robinson with the bat – who can step up when the situation demands.
The series‑sealing victory not only secures a 2‑1 win but also provides a platform for the team to build on as they head into the final challenge at Edgbaston.