Root thrilled as England’s all-seam attack crushes Pakistan at Headingley

LEEDS, England (AP) — England’s all-seam attack has captain Joe Root stoked about what more they can achieve after swatting aside Pakistan in the first test at Headingley on Friday.

England won by an innings and 103 runs inside three days. Pakistan was bowled out for 171 and 135 against England’s 409.

Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue took eight wickets each, Jofra Archer grabbed three on Friday, and Gus Atkinson one. Batting allrounder Dan Lawrence bowled one over of off-spin, a maiden, to break up the barrage of seam on a fair pitch.

Robinson, in his first test since June, and Archer played together in a test for the first time. They handled the new ball.

Tongue and Atkinson won the Hundred for Manchester Super Giants in the final last Sunday and had only one day of training for the test.

The in-and-out Robinson has played the most tests, 22, and Atkinson the least, 13. If they can all stay fit — always a big if — the home Ashes series against Australia is less than a year away.

“It’s very exciting because I still think they don’t know how good they are yet and what they’re capable of, and I think that’s a great place to be when you can put in performances like that,” Root said.

“An attack with that kind of variety, different things to call upon at different times in the game … and as well the fact they bowled well in partnerships.”

Root was no less happy with the batting in the bowler-friendly conditions. Jordan Cox replaced the injured Jacob Bethell at first drop and Lawrence was recalled for the first time in two years to try and fill the allrounder spot vacated by the retired Ben Stokes.

Both contributed half-centuries: Cox (73) and Lawrence (51) beside Root (66) and Harry Brook (91).

“We found a really good tempo, managing the phases,” Root said.

“Jordan Cox coming in at three and playing with such control, such a calm nature.

“Dan coming in at six and getting a score like he did, Brooky showing why he’s the best player in the world. Lots of good stuff to take into Lord’s (second test) and start the series.”

Root’s decisions as captain were also on song, right from winning the toss and choosing to bowl. Root said before the match he didn’t want to try to captain like Stokes. It would be too hard to try, anyway, he added.

Stokes imploded and quit while losing the home series to New Zealand 2-1 in June, and Root was given the armband because of his sensibility. He welcomed the chance to improve on his first stint as permanent captain from 2017-22, the burden of which during the COVID-19 pandemic dragged him down.

Typically, Root turned the focus on teammates rather than himself.

“You can set whatever fields you want, the bowlers have still got to deliver,” he told the BBC. “Sometimes you’ve set fields for different reasons, sometimes it works out exactly how you see it.

“You’re always trying to make plays and find wickets. The guys executed brilliantly, we caught beautifully as well which is important.

“I thought we showed maturity actually in how to manage the conditions and it’s a big reason we’re here now.”

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