England vs Pakistan: Joe Root's captaincy and Harry Brook's maturity promising for hosts in first Test as tourists outclassed
England's thumping win at Headingley a positive start to new era but caveated by how bad Pakistan were with bat, ball and in the field; it remains unclear how Joe Root's side should replace Ben Stokes long term - and how on earth tourists can get back in three-match series
Saturday 22 August 2026 10:31, UK
Joe Root's return match as England Test captain could hardly have gone better - a three-day win and a weekend off.
The fact that fast bowler Josh Tongue had the opportunity to focus on his beloved Manchester United's Saturday-lunchtime Premier League opener against Hull City owed much to England's excellence but more so Pakistan's ineptitude.
A game that started on Wednesday was done before tea on Friday. Had rain not fallen across the first two days, it could conceivably have concluded on Thursday evening.
- England romp to three-day win on Joe Root's captaincy return
- England player ratings: Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue star
- Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream no contract
As a result, there are similarities between this England reset and the one they had at the start of the summer against New Zealand at Lord's, in that the speed of the game rendered it hard to assess how much progress had actually been made.
Against the Black Caps in June, in the last knockings of Bazball, the poor pitch was chiefly to blame for the Test lasting only 166 overs. At Headingley this week, Pakistan's lack of quality was a key factor in the game being over in 175.3.
This Leeds deck was a good one. It was how Pakistan batted and bowled on in that was the problem, allied with how they fielded. The tourists had a shocker on all three fronts.
That has to be a caveat when it comes to assessing England but Pakistan's myriad issues should not entirely detract from a fine performance from the home side.
What did we learn from England in Leeds?
While too early to make sweeping calls about this new England - the permanent coach, Stephen Fleming, is not even in the country yet, although did chat to Root on the phone during the Headingley Test - there were a few learnings. Root's captaincy for one.
The Yorkshireman had been left broken at the end of his first stint in the role, as the losses totted up and he had to navigate Covid bubbles, but he looked refreshed and revitalised on his home ground as he chalked up a record-extending 28th win in charge.
Switching from slip to mid-off allowed him to be closer to his bowlers, while a switch from mid-off to leg slip at one point paid off as he caught Azan Awais off Jofra Archer.
We also saw a ruthless streak when Root withdrew Archer from the attack on day one after two unimpactful overs with the new ball. There was much to admire as Root made tactical tweaks but did not try to lead like predecessor Ben Stokes.
We also saw a maturity in Harry Brook's batting with the vice-captain parking the dancing down the wicket and the falling-over scoops to play in a more orthodox, restrained manner. There was no need for any "rash shots", he later told Sky Sports.
Brook simply waited for Pakistan to bowl a bad ball - and, boy, did they bowl lots of those - rather than attempt to force the issue. If he can mix that measured approach with his breath-taking talent going forward, there is no limit on what he could achieve.
England were assured with the bat as a whole. No Bazball going on here. Just positive, clinical strokeplay, against an admittedly powderpuff and profligate attack.
We discovered that England have depth in their middle-order batting with Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence scoring sprightly half-centuries after replacing Jacob Bethell (injured) and Stokes (retired) in the side - Cox, especially, looks at home at this level.
Unfortunately, Pakistan wilting twice means we did not learn whether having Lawrence as the main spin option around a four-pronged pace attack is the way England should look to replace Stokes long term. Lawrence only bowled one over in the game.
The success of the pace quartet - Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Archer and Gus Atkinson - makes it unlikely a frontline spinner will be picked for the second Test.
Plus, would selecting one actually weaken England in that their best bowlers are their quicks? A spinner would improve the over rate, for sure, but perhaps not much else.
Poor Pakistan look set for long series
What we learned most of all, though, is that this Pakistan side is not very good.
Yes, they were missing captain and best batter Babar Azam due to a hand injury and had the misfortune of losing the toss to be stuck in on day one under leaden skies.
And, yes, this is Pakistan so a rousing comeback from nowhere should not be completely discounted. They have done it plenty of times in the past.
But that feels fanciful right now with the batting line-up not accustomed to English conditions, the bowling attack lacking venom and the fielding at Headingley appalling.
The lack of Pakistan fans in the ground was also extremely disappointing and probably speaks volumes for the connection they have with this team at the moment.
It could be a long series for Pakistan - and a very short one in terms of how many days of cricket we actually see. England winning well inside the distance at Lord's and Edgbaston appears the likely outcome here, provided the rain holds off.
Babar's return will bolster the batting but there is no mystery or express pace to the bowling, traits that Pakistan have been famous for producing in the past, through Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Qadir et al. It's all too samey.
Resets have been England's thing of late. Maybe it is time for Pakistan to undergo one, having lost 14 of their last 19 Tests.
Everyone loves a weekend off, although you suspect Pakistan won't be enjoying theirs, after a match that could hardly have gone worse.
Watch day one of the second Test between England and Pakistan, at Lord's, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am Thursday (11am first ball). Stream with NOW.
England vs Pakistan Test series schedule
All games live on Sky Sports; all 11am starts UK and Ireland
- First Test (Headingley) - England won by innings and 103 runs
- Second Test (Lord's) - August 27-31
- Third Test (Edgbaston) - September 9-13
