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England's new pace quartet gives Root winning start as Test captain

Joe Root hailed England's new-look pace attack after they gave his return as full-time Test captain the perfect start with a crushing innings-and-103-run victory over Pakistan at Headingley on Friday (21).

England's new pace quartet gives Root winning start as Test captain

Ollie Robinson of England celebrates dismissing Ali Usman of Pakistan during day three of the 1st Rothesay Test Match between England and Pakistan at Headingley on August 21, 2026 in Leeds, England.

(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • England's new full-time Test captain began his second stint with a three-day victory.
  • Robinson, Tongue, Archer and Atkinson shared 16 wickets.
  • Robinson struck with the opening delivery of the Test.
  • Salman Ali Agha said the inexperienced side must focus on "making a future".

ENGLAND's first Test since the retirements of Ben Stokes from international cricket and Brendon McCullum's departure as red-ball coach lasted only three days, but it offered Root plenty of reasons to be encouraged.


Ollie Robinson struck with the first ball of the match and England never surrendered their grip. Robinson and Josh Tongue took five wickets each as Pakistan were bowled out for 171, with Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson also making important contributions.

Robinson then added three more wickets in Pakistan's second innings as they were dismissed for 135. The Sussex captain finished with match figures of 8-80 and was named player of the match on his return to England duty.

Root excited by attack's potential

England's four quicks combined for 16 wickets as Root began his second spell as Test captain with a dominant win at his Yorkshire home ground.

Root, whose first stint as captain relied heavily on James Anderson and Stuart Broad, was particularly pleased by the way the new quartet worked together.

"I don't think they really understand how good they are, how well they complement each other and what they are capable of doing in these conditions," Root said.

"Clearly we will have different challenges and surfaces to manage, but it's a brilliant start to things."

England's 409 with the bat gave their bowlers plenty of room to work with. Harry Brook made 91, while Jordan Cox scored 73, Root 66 and Dan Lawrence 51.

The victory was only England's third in their last 11 Tests, but it gave Root and interim coach Marcus Trescothick an encouraging beginning before Stephen Fleming takes over as red-ball coach.

Root said Fleming had been following events in Leeds closely.

"We spoke every day," Root said. "He's kept tabs on things. It's been great to have him on the end of the phone."

Pakistan determined to build for future

Pakistan now have little time to recover, with the second Test starting at Lord's on Thursday. They have won only one of their last 10 Tests overseas.

Stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha acknowledged that his team had struggled to adapt after arriving in England only a week before the series, following a drawn series in the West Indies.

"We came here a week ago. And I don't think a week is enough to get used to these conditions," he said.

Pakistan also endured a difficult day in the field, dropping catches and allowing England to score freely.

But Agha remained determined to look ahead.

"It's an inexperienced side but it's not about worrying about the future -- it's about making a future," he said.

He also welcomed the possible return of Babar Azam, who missed the first Test after failing a fitness test on a hand injury.

"I'm more than happy to hand back the captaincy," Agha said. "Hopefully he (Azam) is fine."

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