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 story was which players earned plaudits and which ones left the selectors scratching their heads. The series, which ended in a whitewash, was a roller‑coaster for many members of Joe Root's side, and the final match offered a clear illustration of who is cementing a place and who may soon be on the outside looking in. Starting with the most glaring disappointment, Jack Duckett endured a forgettable Test. His 17 at Lord's was the highest score of an otherwise miserable series for him, and he failed to make any substantial contribution at Edgbaston either.
The only bright spot was his maiden Test century – scored against New Zealand at Trent Bridge earlier in the summer – which temporarily protected his spot at number three. However, his recent form, including three dropped catches in the slips, has raised serious questions about his reliability. While his two missed chances in the first innings did not cost England heavily – Pakistan were bundled out for 133 in just 33.5 overs – the slip fielding lapses remain a concern for the coaching staff. The battle for a permanent opening slot in the batting order continues to revolve around Haseeb Gilani’s left‑handed counterpart, Durham’s Ben Gay.
Gay produced a gritty half‑century in the first innings, his third fifty of the summer, which seemed to lock his place. Yet his duck in the second innings reopened the debate, especially as the injured Jacob Bethell edges closer to a return.
Gay’s ability to occupy the crease and grind out runs is valuable, but the selectors will weigh his consistency against the emerging options. Mohammad Abbas delivered a superb spell that kept the Pakistani scoreboard in check during the second innings, but his earlier dismissal – a wide delivery from Razaullah that ricocheted onto his stumps – was a painful reminder of a missed opportunity for a maiden Test hundred. That moment encapsulated the fine margins that have defined the series. Sam Cox’s fortunes mirrored this seesaw pattern.
He fell for a low first‑innings lbw to Abbas, but rebounded with a composed unbeaten fifty alongside captain Joe Root on the fourth morning. Their partnership rescued England from a precarious 2‑2 position and steered the team toward victory. Cox’s temperament under pressure impressed Root, who is actively seeking players with the mental fortitude to thrive in the high‑intensity "Bazball" environment. In addition to his batting, Cox kept wicket admirably when Jamie Smith was sidelined with a thumb injury, snatching four catches and a stumping that finally ended Razaullah’s aggressive innings.
Root himself delivered the captain’s knock the team needed. His unbeaten half‑century on day four – only his third of a largely barren summer – steadied the innings and dispelled any fear of a late collapse. The win marked England’s first home series sweep of Pakistan, a milestone for Root in his first full season as permanent Test captain. Yet his own vulnerabilities persisted: he was dismissed lbw by Razaullah in the first innings, his fourth ball of the match, taking his summer total of lbw dismissals to eight in ten innings – a statistic that will surely be examined by the coaching team.
Root also edged ahead in the personal battle for the most catches by a Test outfielder, moving past Australia’s Steve Smith to 220 catches. This achievement underscores his all‑round contribution beyond just runs.
Turning to the middle order, Ollie Brook missed a chance to convert a solid start into a century, running himself out early on the second morning after a promising first‑innings performance. Brook has been England’s most dependable batsman in the challenging conditions this summer, registering five half‑centuries and reaching at least 20 runs in all but two innings. His consistency is a bright spot, even if the elusive hundred continues to evade him.
Brook’s more measured approach has been welcomed by fans who grew weary of the sometimes reckless aggression associated with the Bazball philosophy. Bowling accolades went to Ollie Robinson, who claimed the Player of the Match award. Robinson’s spell in the first innings produced his 100th Test wicket, dismissing Saim Ayub, while his opening over of the second innings yielded two quick wickets, bringing his series tally to 21 at an impressive average of 6.66. Although his effectiveness wanes in longer spells – a potential concern on flatter South African pitches or the upcoming Ashes – his resurgence this summer has been a major factor in England’s success.
He also contributed a second‑innings fifty, adding depth to his all‑round impact. James Lawrence continued to fight for a regular spot, showcasing his versatility with a spectacular one‑handed diving catch in the slips that dismissed Shan Masood just five runs shy of a hundred.
He also claimed two wickets in 4.4 overs of second‑innings bowling, breaking a 125‑run partnership between Masood and Azan Awais and later dismissing Razaullah to finish day three. Lawrence’s off‑spin remains under‑utilised, but his ability to contribute with bat, ball, and in the field makes a strong case for his inclusion as England looks ahead to a four‑pronged pace attack for the South Africa tour and next summer’s Ashes.
The series also highlighted the misfortune of wicket‑keeper Ben Brown, who suffered a finger injury while standing up to the stumps on day one, forcing him out of the gloves for the second innings. Despite the setback, Brown returned to bat on day two, scoring a brisk 69 before being bowled by his own delivery – a reminder of the fine line between aggression and risk. Matt Atkinson endured a challenging series, capturing only one wicket before the second innings despite often bowling in the second‑change role.
Root’s faith in him paid off when, on day three’s lunch break, Pakistan were 184‑3 in their second innings. Atkinson was handed an eight‑over spell, during which he claimed the vital wicket of Masood and later added Ghazi Ghori and Imran.
His figures of 3‑15 and 2‑54 demonstrated his potential as a workhorse bowler capable of delivering when the team needs it most. Other bowlers such as Tom Archer, Mark Tongue and the ever‑reliable Jamie Smith also made contributions, with Tongue’s three wickets in the first innings featuring a toe‑crushing yorker that dismissed Babar Azam.
While some, like Tongue, proved expensive in the second innings, the collective effort of England’s pace quartet ensured Pakistan never gained sustained momentum. Overall, the summer has been encouraging for England. The pace attack, now featuring a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, has shown depth and resilience. The batting order, while still grappling with a lack of centuries, has displayed grit and adaptability.
As the team prepares for the South African tour and the looming Ashes, the selectors face a delicate balancing act: rewarding the performers who have earned their spots, like Cox, Lawrence and Robinson, while still giving opportunities to those on the fringes, such as Gay and Bethell. The decisions made in the coming weeks will shape England’s Test outlook for the next two years, and the performances at Edgbaston provide a solid foundation on which to build.