Root and Cox Rescue England From the Brink
If you'd scripted it, nobody would have believed you. England, needing just 130 to complete a clean sweep of Pakistan, found themselves suddenly and alarmingly tottering at 2-2 inside the first over at Edgbaston. Ben Duckett nicked Muhammad Abbas' very first delivery behind, and Emilio Gay — who had contributed a solid 60 in the first innings — was trapped plumb in front almost immediately afterwards. The ground fell quiet. The bookmakers, who'd had England as overwhelming favourites to finish the job, will have had a nervous flutter of their own.
What followed, though, was a masterclass in controlled batting under pressure. Joe Root and Jordan Cox came together and refused to allow Pakistan even a sniff of one of the great Test turnarounds. Their unbroken third-wicket partnership of 128 settled matters conclusively, with Root finishing unbeaten on 62 and Cox contributing a composed and thoroughly impressive 59. England crossed the line well before lunch, winning by eight wickets to seal a 3-0 series sweep.
Root's Return to the Captaincy Vindicated
As someone who has watched Root operate at close quarters over the years, I can say with confidence that resuming the captaincy — something he took back following Ben Stokes' retirement in June — has reinvigorated him. Leading from the front in what has been described as one of England's most turbulent summers in living memory, Root has guided his side to a flawless series result against Pakistan. To navigate the chaos of this summer and emerge with a whitewash is no small achievement, and it will have a meaningful impact on England's Test ranking heading into the southern hemisphere summer.
There was even a moment of fortune that Root might quietly acknowledge over a beer. On 23, he appeared to drag the ball onto his own stumps off Mohammad Ali, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball. Had that stood, England could easily have slipped to 35-3, and we might be writing a very different article this evening. Test cricket rarely misses the chance to remind you how fine the margins are.
Pakistan's Debutant and a Second Innings to Remember
Credit must go to Pakistan, who made this far more competitive than Friday's first-innings scoreline suggested. After being dismissed for just 133 in their first innings — Josh Tongue the chief destroyer with four wickets for 42 — they responded with a remarkable second effort, posting 449. Shan Masood top-scored with 95, while debutant Razaullah was the revelation, smashing 81 and taking four wickets for 148 across the match. Babar Azam chipped in with 76 and Awais contributed 59 as Pakistan batted with real character.
For England's first innings, it was a collective batting effort that proved decisive. Harry Brook led with 75, while Ben Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65), Gay (60) and Ollie Robinson (50) all made telling contributions as England posted 453, a lead that ultimately proved just sufficient.
What's Next — White Ball and South Africa on the Horizon
England now shift their attention entirely, switching formats for a white-ball series against Sri Lanka beginning in Southampton on Tuesday. Brendon McCullum returns to the dugout for that assignment, with the eyebrow-raising addition of Kevin Pietersen joining the coaching staff. Looking further ahead, the first Test against South Africa in December looms large — and Jordan Cox, on the evidence of this match, appears to have made a very strong case for a starting berth. His temperament alone merits serious consideration.
For now, though, England's Test summer ends on the highest possible note. A 3-0 series win over Pakistan — however nervously it was wrapped up — is exactly the platform Root and his side needed heading into a demanding winter schedule. Those backing England for winter series glory will fancy their chances a little more tonight.
