England are on the verge of completing a crushing series whitewash against Pakistan after they skittled the visitors to 52 for 2, still trailing by 268 runs, when rain forced an early end to play on the second day of the third Test at Edgbaston. The modest total at the close of play actually marked a small revival for Pakistan, whose situation had looked even bleaker than the gathering clouds when they were reduced to two wickets down without scoring a run in Ollie Robinson's opening over. Robinson, who finished the spell with figures of two wickets for ten runs, began by dismissing opening batsman Saim Ayub on the very first delivery. Ayub, one of four players hurriedly flown in after seven members of the touring party were sent home, was out for a golden duck.
Just three balls later, Abdullah Shafique fell to a catch at slip, adding another early wicket to the tally. Robinson's early burst has taken his wicket haul to 28 across just four Tests this summer, an astonishing average of 7.75 runs per wicket.
Within the context of this series his average improves even further to an almost unreal 6.66. Joe Root’s sharp catch at slip to dismiss Shafique also moved him one catch ahead of Australia’s Steve Smith, putting the England captain on 220 career catches – a personal contest to become the most prolific outfielder in Test history.
Unlike the first innings, the fall of wickets was not as rapid in Pakistan’s second effort. Azan Awais (29 not out) and Shan Masood (21 not out) managed to forge a modest partnership of around fifty runs before the rain intervened.
Masood, however, was soon trapped for 13 by Ben Duckett, who claimed his third wicket of the match, delivering a ball that was comfortably caught by the unfortunate Gus Atkinson. **First‑innings summary** - Pakistan 133 all out in 33.5 overs – top scores: Saud Shakeel 43, Mohammad Abbas 21. England bowlers: Josh Tongue 4‑42, Ollie Robinson 3‑15, Jofra Archer 3‑25.
- England 453 all out in 89 overs – major contributions: Harry Brook 75, Jamie Smith 69, Dan Lawrence 65, Emilio Gay 60, Ollie Robinson 50. Pakistan bowler: Razaullah 4‑148. **Second‑innings snapshot (Pakistan)** - 52‑2 after 12.4 overs, still 268 runs behind – Awais 29* and Masood 21* still at the crease, Robinson 2‑10. Earlier in the match England were dismissed for 452, securing a commanding 320‑run lead after the first innings.
Dan Lawrence’s brisk fifty (47 balls) and half‑centuries from Jamie Smith and Ollie Robinson complemented the larger scores from Emilio Gay and Harry Brook on day one. Brook added a quick 23 runs to his overnight tally before becoming the first wicket to fall on the second morning. His dismissal came just as he and Lawrence seemed to have shattered Pakistan’s morale, having put on 73 runs in the opening ten overs of the day. Brook’s wicket was something of a self‑inflicted gift – he attempted a risky single to mid‑wicket, only for Masood to complete a direct‑hit run‑out.
The momentum, however, did not stall. Smith joined Lawrence at the crease and the pair compiled a 64‑run partnership before Lawrence was bowled, mis‑timing a defensive shot off Mohammad Imran (2‑47) and seeing his stumps shattered just before lunch. Smith then reached his own half‑century, doing so off 54 balls, but was unable to convert the start into a big score. After a brief cameo from Gus Atkinson, who was bowled by a fine delivery from Imran, Smith edged a ball to the fiery Razaullah, who finished with figures of 4‑148.
While Smith was still at the crease, he later had to leave the field when Jordan Cox stepped in as a substitute wicket‑keeper. Smith’s regular gloveman was nursing a sore finger sustained on the first day.
Robinson, now on his second Test fifty of the series, and lower‑order hitter Jofra Archer (32 not out) kept the run‑rate ticking, finding boundaries with regularity and pushing England’s total well beyond the 400‑run mark, cementing a lead of more than 300 runs before the innings was finally wrapped up. Pakistan’s tentative fielding continued into the start of their second innings. After Robinson’s double strike in the very first over, the possibility of a two‑day finish loomed, but the resilience shown by Azan Awais and Shan Masood, coupled with the interruption caused by rain, prevented a rapid collapse. Dan Lawrence expressed disappointment at missing out on a maiden Test century.
The 29‑year‑old, who has already recorded scores of 51 at Headingley and 54 at Lord’s in the same series, said: "I’m obviously gutted that I didn’t convert and make a big score, but I’m fairly pleased with my overall performance. I felt I was playing well on a good surface against a tiring attack.
I thought I could make a huge innings, but it just didn’t happen. I’ve missed two chances to make big scores – at Headingley and here – but I’m happy with three fifties in four innings.
If someone had offered me 65 at the start of the day, I would have taken it." Meanwhile, seamer Ollie Robinson has been the standout bowler of the series, boasting 21 wickets at an astonishing average of 6.66. When he dismissed Shafique for the fifth time in six innings, his average against the Pakistani batsman stood at a minuscule 6.19. England slip‑fielder Dan Lawrence admitted that the fielding unit must stay on high alert whenever Robinson is on a spell.
Lawrence explained: "When he bowls, he hits the same spot almost every ball, so you’re constantly aware. The pitches have given us plenty of assistance, and all the seamers have benefited. You really feel the pressure behind the stumps when someone is at the peak of his powers." **Criticism from the punditry** Sky Sports’ former England captain Nasser Hussain was blunt about Pakistan’s selection policies, particularly the inclusion of Saim Ayub. "Ayub struggled.
He shouldn’t be here. He came from the Caribbean Premier League and hasn’t played first‑class cricket in eleven months. I don’t understand why the board would fly someone in from overseas, expecting him to adapt to English conditions, a Duke ball and Ollie Robinson’s pace.
It shows a lack of respect for Test cricket." Hussain also highlighted the turmoil within the Pakistan camp, noting that seven players had been sent home and several others who had performed well in recent matches were omitted. "How you treat your players matters. It’s a two‑way street when you hand someone a Test cap – they are expected to uphold the core values of representing Pakistan, but the board must also look after them.
Sending seven men home mid‑series sends a message that the team looks after itself first. This side appears to be in poor form and seems resigned to a ‘what will be, will be’ attitude, caring only for themselves." The third Test continues on day three, with live coverage available on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 am. Viewers without a Sky subscription can explore the latest Sky Sports deals or stream the match via NOW without a contract. All games are broadcast live on Sky Sports.