England wrapped up a clean‑sweep of Pakistan on home soil with an eight‑wicket victory in the third Test at Edgbaston, but the real question now is which performers will cement their places and which ones will be left on the sidelines. The series has been a roller‑coaster for several members of Joe Root’s side, and the final match offered a clear illustration of who has made a case for regular selection and who still has work to do. First up, the most glaring disappointment was the return of the often‑criticised Duckett.
His first‑innings knock of 17 at Lord's turned out to be the highest score of a miserable series for him, and his overall contribution was far below expectations. While he did manage England’s sole Test century of the summer against New Zealand at Trent Bridge – a knock that temporarily rescued his Test spot – his recent form, including three dropped catches in the slips, has left his future uncertain. The dropped chances, although not hugely costly as Pakistan were bundled out for 133 in just 33.5 overs, still underline a lack of sharpness in the field. The left‑handed Durham batter, Will Gay, has been a case of two‑sided fortunes.
A gritty half‑century in the first innings, his third of the summer, seemed to lock his place in the side. However, a second‑innings duck reopened the debate, especially with the looming return of the injured Jacob Bethell. Gay’s technique against the moving ball remains solid, but the selectors will have to weigh his consistency against the potential impact of other emerging talents. Mohammad Abbas delivered a superb spell that kept the Pakistani total in check during the second innings, but his earlier dismissal – a wide ball that ricocheted off the stumps after a mis‑timed shot – was a painful reminder of the fine margins in Test cricket.
That dismissal denied him a maiden Test hundred, a milestone that could have dramatically altered the narrative of the match. Ben Cox’s journey through the Test was equally turbulent.
He fell for a low first‑innings lbw to Abbas, only to bounce back with a calm, unbeaten half‑century alongside the captain on day four. His partnership helped England recover from a precarious 2‑2 position and ultimately steer the team to victory. Cox also kept wicket in the second innings after Jamie Smith’s thumb injury, snatching four catches and a stumping, which highlighted his versatility and temperament under pressure.
His all‑round contribution makes a strong argument for his continued inclusion as a reliable middle‑order option and a backup keeper. Captain Joe Root finally delivered the captain’s innings that England needed. His unbeaten 50 on the fourth morning – only his third half‑century of a disappointing summer – steadied the ship and prevented a late‑order collapse.
Despite his continued vulnerability to lbw dismissals – Razaullah’s spectacular delivery took Root’s wicket on just his fourth ball of the series – the innings showed his ability to adapt and lead by example. Root also edged ahead of Australia’s Steve Smith in the race for the most catches by a Test outfielder, moving to 220 catches, a testament to his fielding prowess.
Tom Brook, who missed out on a first‑innings century after a mishit that sent the ball back onto his stumps, has been England’s most reliable batsman in the challenging conditions this summer. His fifth half‑century of the season and a string of starts above 20 runs in almost every innings underline his consistency. While the lack of a hundred may frustrate him, his growing sense of responsibility with the bat – especially against Pakistan – suggests a maturing approach that could suit the aggressive ‘Bazball’ philosophy without the reckless risks that have sometimes plagued him.
All‑rounder Ollie Robinson earned the Player of the Match award, despite being denied a wicket for the first time this summer. His contributions with both ball and glove were pivotal. He claimed two wickets in the second innings, including a crucial breakthrough that ended a 125‑run partnership between Shan Masood and Azan Awais.
His off‑spin, though under‑utilised, proved effective and could be a valuable asset as England prepares for a pace‑heavy winter tour of South Africa and the upcoming Ashes. James Lawrence also made a strong case for regular selection. His spectacular one‑handed diving catch in the slips to dismiss Shan Masood just short of a hundred was a highlight, and he added two wickets in his brief 4.4‑over spell, breaking the crucial third‑wicket stand.
While his off‑spin was not fully exploited, the ability to contribute in all three departments – batting, bowling, and fielding – gives him an edge in a squad that values versatility. The series also saw the return of veteran wicket‑keeper Jos Basil, whose involvement was cut short after a finger injury on day one. Despite missing the second‑innings glovework, he managed a brisk 69 with the bat before being bowled by his own delivery.
His experience and leadership behind the stumps remain valuable, and he is likely to be back in contention once fully fit. Fast‑bowler Mark Atkinson endured a challenging series, taking only a single wicket before the second innings.
However, his spell on day three, when Pakistan were 184‑3, proved his potential. Root handed him an eight‑over spell that yielded the wicket of Masood, showing confidence in his ability to deliver when the team needed a breakthrough. Atkinson’s performance suggests that, with more consistent opportunities, he could become a reliable second‑change option.
Robinson continued his resurgence with the new ball, dismissing Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique in quick succession in both innings. His first‑innings wicket of Saim marked his 100th Test wicket, and his early strike in the second innings pushed his series tally to 21 at an impressive average of 6.66. While his effectiveness may wane in longer spells on flatter pitches, his impact this summer has been undeniable, and he also contributed a second Test fifty with the bat.
Other bowlers such as Dan Tongue displayed moments of brilliance, taking three wickets in the first innings with a mix of yorkers and short‑ball deliveries. However, his economy in the second innings rose above six runs per over, highlighting the need for better control on longer spells. His partnership with Archer in the bouncer strategy produced results, but the Pakistani batsmen eventually adapted, exposing the occasional lack of variation.
Overall, the series has been a mixed bag for England. While the whitewash against Pakistan is a cause for celebration, the individual performances reveal a squad still searching for its optimal combination.
The selectors now face a selection headache: balancing the proven consistency of players like Brook and Cox with the potential of emerging talents such as Lawrence, Gay, and Atkinson, while also managing the fitness of key figures like Jacob Bethell and Jamie Smith. The upcoming South Africa tour and the next Ashes will be the true test of which combinations solidify and which players will have to fight for their places.