England clinched their first-ever home Test series whitewash over Pakistan with a commanding eight-wicket victory in the third match at Edgbaston. While the series result was never in doubt, individual performances across Joe Root’s squad varied significantly, creating both celebration and selection dilemmas for the management team.
Dan Lawrence was named Player of the Match after delivering a comprehensive all-round performance. The left-hander scored 65 runs and took two crucial wickets for 17 runs in the second innings. Lawrence also produced a spectacular diving one-handed catch at slip to dismiss Shan Masood when he was just five runs short of a century. His contribution was vital in dismantling Pakistan’s resistance, although he will rue missing his maiden Test century when he was dismissed after edging a delivery back onto his stumps.
Joe Root continued his impressive form as permanent captain, scoring an unbeaten 62 in the second innings to steer England to victory from a precarious position of 2-2. The knock was his third half-century of the summer, alleviating fears of a collapse. Despite the win, Root’s technique against spin persisted as a concern; he was dismissed lbw by debutant Razaullah, marking his eighth such dismissal from just 10 Test innings this summer. On a positive note, Root moved one ahead of Steve Smith in the record for most catches taken by an outfielder in Test cricket history.
Jordan Cox provided a crucial anchor in the chase, remaining not out on 59 as he shared a match-defining 128-run partnership with Root. Cox also impressed behind the stumps, deputising for the injured Jamie Smith. He claimed four catches and a stumping in the second innings, including the final wicket to dismiss Razaullah and end his extraordinary cameo. Cox’s composure and character have evidently caught the attention of the coaching staff.
Ollie Robinson was another standout performer, earning an 8 rating for his work with the new ball. Robinson claimed three wickets in the first innings and two in the second, bringing his series tally to 21 wickets at an average of 8.76. He celebrated his 100th Test wicket with the dismissal of Saim Ayub and removed both openers in the opening over of Pakistan’s second innings. He also contributed with the bat, scoring a second Test fifty.
Harry Brook scored a valuable 75 in the first innings, continuing his consistency in difficult conditions. However, he will be frustrated by his failure to convert the score into a century after running himself out on 75. Brook has now scored five half-centuries this summer and showed greater responsibility with the bat compared to earlier stages of the Bazball era.
Jamie Smith’s involvement was cut short early due to a finger injury sustained while standing up to the stumps on Day 1. Despite missing the second innings, Smith impressed with the bat in the first, scoring a brisk 69 before being caught and bowled by Razaullah. He remains the likely choice for the手套 when fit for the upcoming tour of South Africa.
In contrast, opener Ben Duckett struggled significantly, scoring 11 and 0 in the final Test. His series total of 44 runs from five innings was disappointing, though his solitary Test century of the summer against New Zealand at Trent Bridge provides some context for why his place remains secure for now. He also dropped three chances in the slips, although the first two did not cost England the match.
Emilio Gay faced scrutiny after another resilient half-century in the first innings (60) was followed by a second-innings duck. The left-hander was removed by Mohammad Abbas in the first over of the chase, raising questions about his long-term place in the side given the emergence of competitors like Jordan Cox and the impending return of Jacob Bethell.
Gus Atkinson bowled economically in the first innings but struggled for wickets until the second innings, where he took three important scalps, including that of Masood. His spell of eight overs on Day 3 proved to be his best of the series, suggesting that faith in the fast bowler was rewarded at a critical juncture.
Jofra Archer contributed with both bat and ball, scoring an unbeaten 32 and taking four wickets throughout the match, maintaining his series average of 24.82. As England looks ahead to the winter tour of South Africa and the 2027 Ashes, the performances of Lawrence, Cox, and Root will bolster confidence, while the struggles of Duckett and the debate over Gay’s place remain key talking points.
Finally, some white-ball energy in Test cricket! Bazball delivers when it matters most.
Duckett’s five drops are unforgivable. How can he keep his place with that kind of carelessness in the slips?
Cox behind the stumps looks like a genuine long-term solution for Jamie Smith’s injury issues.
Root moving past Steve Smith for catches is impressive, but that lbw record is worrying for his future as captain.
Lawrence was simply outstanding today. That catch alone was worth the ticket price!