England wrapped up a clean‑sweep of Pakistan on home soil with an eight‑wicket victory in the third Test at Edgbaston, but which players truly made a mark and which ones fell short? The answer is a mixed bag, and it raises a fresh set of questions about the composition of Joe Root's side heading into the winter tour of South Africa and next summer's Ashes. Starting with the most conspicuous disappointment, Sam Duckett’s series has been a struggle. After a modest 17 at Lord's – his highest score of the summer – he managed only a solitary half‑century, a lone Test hundred against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
While that knock kept him in the top‑order conversation for now, his overall contributions have been underwhelming, and the selectors will have to decide whether his occasional brilliance outweighs a generally low output. The slip fielding department also raised eyebrows. Duckett dropped three catches in the series, two of which came in the first innings when Pakistan were bundled out for a paltry 133 in just 33.5 overs. Those missed chances could have turned the match in Pakistan’s favour, but the English bowlers compensated with disciplined spell‑work.
Turning to the left‑handed opener, Harry Gay, his place in the Test XI has been a subject of debate throughout the summer. He reinforced his credentials with a gritty half‑century in the first innings – his third fifty of the season – but a duck in the second innings reopened the discussion about his role, especially with the likely return of the injured Jacob Bethell.
Gay’s technique against the moving ball remains solid, yet the selectors may weigh his consistency against emerging talent. Mohammad Abbas delivered a superb delivery that prevented a potential century in the second innings, but his earlier dismissal – a wide ball from Razaullah that ricocheted back onto his stumps – will haunt him.
It was a stark reminder of how thin the margins are in Test cricket; a single mis‑timed shot can erase a hundred‑run opportunity. Joe Cox’s fortunes mirrored those of Gay in many ways.
He fell for a low lbw to Abbas in the first innings, but rebounded with a composed unbeaten half‑century alongside captain Joe Root on day four, steering England from a precarious 2‑2 position to eventual victory. Cox also kept wicket in the second innings, standing in for the injured Jamie Smith.
He took four catches and executed a crucial stumping to finish Razaullah’s long innings, showcasing his versatility and resilience under pressure. Root himself delivered the captain’s knock that England needed. His unbeaten 65 on the fourth morning – only his third half‑century of a barren summer – steadied the innings and prevented a late‑order collapse. The innings also nudged him past Australia’s Steve Smith on the all‑time list for most catches by a non‑wicket‑keeper in Test cricket, taking his total to 220.
Ben Stokes, often the team's most reliable batsman in challenging conditions, recorded his fifth half‑century of the summer. Despite numerous starts of 20 or more, a century has eluded him, and his recent run‑out against Pakistan added to his frustration. Nevertheless, his increased responsibility with the bat, especially against a disciplined Pakistani attack, signals a positive shift from the more reckless style that some fans criticized during the Bazball era. The match’s Player of the Match award went to Ollie Robinson, who claimed a crucial wicket – the first time he was denied a wicket in a Test this summer – and contributed with the ball throughout both innings.
His spell helped keep Pakistan’s scoring in check. Bowling all‑rounder Tom Lawrence continued to stake his claim for a regular spot. He produced a spectacular one‑handed, diving catch in the slips to dismiss Shan Masood just five runs short of a century. With the ball, Lawrence took two wickets in 4.4 overs of second‑innings work, breaking a 125‑run partnership between Masood and Azan Awais and later dismissing Razaullah to end day three.
His off‑spin, however, remains under‑utilised, a point of discussion as England prepares a four‑pronged pace attack for the upcoming South Africa tour. Wicket‑keeper Ben Jacklin, who missed the second innings due to a finger injury sustained while standing up to the stumps on day one, returned to the crease on day two and produced a brisk 69 before being bowled by his own delivery.
His absence behind the stumps highlighted the depth of England’s keeping options, with Smith still a reliable choice if fit. Fast bowler James Atkinson endured a difficult series, taking only a single wicket before the second innings. Despite modest figures, his spell work often came as a second‑change bowler, supporting the new‑ball pair who dominated early. Root’s decision to give Atkinson an eight‑over spell on day three, when Pakistan were 184‑3, paid off with the wicket of Masood, demonstrating Root’s faith in his pace resources.
Robinson’s impact with the new ball was undeniable. He dismissed Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique in his opening spell of both innings, needing just four deliveries for the second‑innings dismissals. His first‑innings wicket of Ayub marked his 100th Test wicket, and his early strike in the second innings lifted his series tally to 21 at an impressive average of 6.66.
Although his effectiveness wanes in longer spells, his resurgence this summer has been a bright spot for England’s pace department. James Anderson, returning from injury, claimed three wickets in the first innings, including a clean bowled of Babar Azam, and added two more in the second. While his economy rose in the latter spell, his ability to generate bounce and movement remains a valuable asset, especially on the faster pitches expected in South Africa.
Overall, England’s summer has been encouraging. The pace quartet, now featuring a fit Atkinson, offers depth and variety, while the middle order continues to evolve with players like Cox, Gay, and Lawrence pushing for permanent roles. The series sweep against Pakistan not only restores confidence but also provides a platform for Root to assess the characters he wants to carry forward. As the team looks ahead to the South African tour and the looming Ashes, the selection committee faces a classic dilemma: reward consistency or gamble on emerging talent.
The performances outlined above will undoubtedly shape those decisions.