We evaluate England’s performers 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 English opener managing just 26 balls across both innings.
Several batsmen felt a degree of misfortune, especially those dismissed leg‑before‑wicket in the first innings to deliveries that initially seemed to be missing the stumps, only for a timely Pakistani review to overturn the on‑field decision. In the second innings the same opener fell to a simple mis‑hit, chipping a ball straight to mid‑off. Gay’s fortunes mirrored this pattern of bad luck.
In the first innings, Mohammad Rizwan produced a spectacular diving catch off a modest leg‑side edge, while in the rain‑interrupted third day a low‑driven ball resulted in a crushing LBW dismissal when the batting conditions were at their most challenging. Gay had shown resilience by batting through to the close of the second evening, a trait he has displayed since his debut earlier this summer.
Yet his place in the side is under scrutiny, particularly with Jacob Bethell still absent and other contenders waiting in the wings. One such contender is Tom Cox, who is vying for a permanent spot after being recalled to replace the injured Bethell at number three. Cox notched his second half‑century in as many Tests, underscoring his determination to seize the opportunity. Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket before the Lord’s Test, he admitted, “This could be your only shot, make sure this counts.” He has indeed come close to cementing his claim, playing with confidence in the middle order much as he did at Headingley.
A potential century was denied only by an extraordinary slip catch taken by Salman Ali Agha – arguably one of the finest catches ever seen in a slip position. The discussion around England captain Ben Root’s susceptibility to LBW dismissals also resurfaced. Michael Atherton of Sky Sports noted, “It is fascinating that even a player with more than 160 Tests and an average above 50 – arguably one of England’s greatest – continues to be dismissed leg‑before‑wicket so frequently.” Root fell LBW in both innings of this match, marking his seventh such dismissal this summer and nine in his last twelve Tests.
While the rise in LBW wickets is a broader trend in seamer‑friendly conditions, Root will be eager to rectify this flaw with a substantial score in the upcoming Edgbaston Test. Joe Brook’s performance belied his modest run tally.
In the second innings he negotiated a difficult period on the second evening with caution before forging a promising partnership with Dan Lawrence on day three, when the pitch was at its toughest. Unfortunately, his first‑innings dismissal came at the hands of a lethal in‑ducker from Mohammad Ali, who trapped him on a faint shoulder edge to Rizwan, with the ball standing up to the stumps off Mohammad Abbas. Brook has been a reliable slip fielder throughout the summer, consistently taking catches, including a key one off Azan Awais that helped secure a 46‑run contribution.
Dan Lawrence continues to press his case for a permanent role, especially at the No 6 slot that England have been trying to fill since Ben Stokes’ departure. While matching Stokes’ extraordinary feats may be unrealistic, Lawrence offers a similar aggressive mindset, evident in his second‑innings half‑century under testing conditions. His occasional off‑spin also adds balance to England’s four‑pronged pace attack, which, despite its reputation, has yet to fully display its depth.
James Smith returned to form with a brisk 61 off 80 balls in the first innings, punctuated by ten boundaries. This attacking display harkens back to his early Test days, when he seemed destined for greatness before a slump during the Ashes led to criticism.
Smith admitted to Sky Sports Cricket that he has found it “tough” lately, but his sharp reflexes behind the stumps continue to earn him praise. Bowling-wise, Sam Atkinson has felt the squeeze of England’s deep seam lineup, often relegated to second change and denied the preferred new‑ball spell. With Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer excelling with the new ball and Josh Tongue targeting the tail, opportunities have been scarce. Nevertheless, Atkinson delivered a respectable pace spell before tea on day four and claimed a solitary wicket in the series.
He also contributed 45 runs at Lord’s, the venue of his Test century. Robinson’s figures were nothing short of spectacular: 8‑35 across 27 overs, showcasing supreme skill and control. He now boasts 99 wickets in 23 Tests at an average of 19.53, which improves to 15.45 in his five Tests at Lord’s and an astonishing 8.34 in the three matches this summer. Nasser Hussain of Sky Sports praised Robinson, stating that despite questions about his fitness on difficult pitches, he is currently England’s most effective bowler.
Hussain added that Robinson must continue to evolve, seeking guidance from veterans like Stuart Broad and James Anderson to become a complete bowler. Jofra Archer’s opening spell averaged an eye‑popping 90.7 mph, touching 94 mph on occasion, and yielded the wicket of Shan Masood caught behind. Though he repeatedly threatened both edges, the reward was limited until he finally broke through the tail later in the innings. In the second innings, Archer’s aggressive bouncer forced Babar Azam onto the back foot, contributing to a devastating new‑ball partnership that reduced Pakistan to 14‑3.
Josh Tongue claimed the wickets of Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam before lunch on day two and later dismissed Saud Shakeel, who was on the verge of a well‑deserved century, falling just three runs short. While Tongue’s ability to take wickets remains evident, he has occasionally leaked runs, particularly to left‑handers, an area that will need refinement.
He also showcased his batting prowess, adding a quick 47‑run stand for the last wicket alongside Atkinson in the first innings. Overall, England’s seamers have dominated the series, with the batting unit showing flashes of resilience and potential. The upcoming Edgbaston Test will provide a final platform for players like Root to address technical flaws, for Cox to cement his place, and for the bowling quartet to maintain their relentless pressure on Pakistan’s batting line‑up.