Root reclaims leadership as England face Pakistan in high-stakes Test opener
Joe Root leads England at Headingley while Babar Azam’s availability hangs in the balance ahead of World Test Championship clash.
England commence a three-match Test series against Pakistan at Headingley on 19 August, with Joe Root assuming the captaincy for the first time since 2022. The fixture marks the beginning of the post-Ben Stokes era for the hosts, who are now operating under the interim guidance of Marcus Trescothick. New head coach Stephen Fleming is not scheduled to take full control until the winter tour of South Africa.
Root has initiated immediate cultural changes, abolishing the team’s midnight curfew as his first official act as captain. The move comes as England seek to reverse a poor run of form, having lost seven of their past nine Tests and failing to win a series since December 2024. The team currently sits seventh in the World Test Championship standings, one position above Pakistan, with crucial 2025-27 points available.
Significant personnel adjustments define England’s approach to the series. Jordan Cox has been promoted to bat at number three following Jacob Bethell’s exclusion from the entire series due to a right knee injury sustained during the ODI series against India. Cox, who made his Test debut against New Zealand in June batting at number seven, is described by national selector Marcus North as one of the most exciting talents in English cricket.
Dan Lawrence also returns to the Test side for the first time in two years, capitalising on an exceptional County Championship season with Surrey. He is set to bat at number six, with Jamie Smith slotting in at number seven. At the top of the order, Emilio Gay retains his position alongside Ben Duckett despite scoring a pair in the warm-up fixture, with previous shoulder concerns having eased.
Pakistan arrive in improved spirits following a seven-wicket victory over a Professional County Club Select XI at Beckenham, where Saud Shakeel scored an unbeaten hundred and Imam-ul-Haq made 80. However, the tourists face uncertainty regarding their leadership, with captain Babar Azam doubtful for the first Test due to a hand injury sustained in a warm-up match.
England’s final bowling combination remains undecided. While Shoaib Bashir pushed his case for selection with figures of 4 for 76 for the County Select XI, the hosts may opt for four frontline seamers, relying on Lawrence and Root for spin support.
