England defeated Pakistan by an innings at Headingley, giving new Test captain Joe Root an ideal start to his second stint in the role. The victory marked a straightforward beginning to a new era after a year of turbulence for the team, though observers cautioned that Pakistan's poor performance meant larger judgements on England's progress should be reserved for later matches.
England's bowling attack has been transformed by the retirements of Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Chris Woakes and, reportedly, Mark Wood—a combined loss of 1,871 Test wickets in less than three years. The first iteration of a post-Stokes team fielded four frontline seamers in Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson, backed by part-time off-breaks from Dan Lawrence. In helpful conditions, Robinson and Tongue each claimed eight wickets, while Archer and Atkinson improved after a sluggish first innings. Root said the team "don't know how good they could be." England currently lacks a consistently Test-class spinner, though a February tour of Bangladesh will likely necessitate finding one.
Jordan Cox, deputising at number three for injured Jacob Bethell, made an assured 73 on Test debut for Essex, demonstrating patience and sound technique without excessive risk-taking. While the Pakistan attack offered limited challenge, Cox appeared suited to Test cricket and has four remaining innings to secure his position ahead of Bethell's return and the December tour of South Africa. His potential emergence creates complications if he demands a permanent place, given questions over opening batsman Emilio Gay and Cox's capability to keep wicket.
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith showed marked improvement in his glovework this summer, assisted by coaching from former England women's keeper Sarah Taylor since her arrival on the coaching staff. Smith's keeping has become more assured, particularly standing up to quick bowlers like Robinson, though his Test batting average has slipped below 40 and he fell to a tame dismissal for 25 at Headingley despite a chance for a larger contribution.
New England Test coach Stephen Fleming will not take charge of the team until the December tour of South Africa, as his predecessor Brendon McCullum's replacement is not due to arrive in the UK until September. Fleming was appointed last month but will not manage England in a Test until Christmas, a gap that has not been fully explained.
