NEW DELHI: England completed a 3-0 Test series clean sweep over Pakistan at Edgbaston, but the series produced an unusual statistic.It was only the eighth three-match Test series in history to finish without a single individual century. It was also only the second such series in England, after the 1888 Ashes.England’s batting was led by Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 62 in the third Test, while Jordan Cox scored an unbeaten 59 as England chased down 130 with eight wickets in hand.The result gave England their second 3-0 Test series clean sweep over Pakistan, after their success in the 2022/23 series. It was also England’s 15th three-match Test series sweep overall.For Pakistan, it was their 11th Test series defeat by a 3-0 margin.
Root survives early scare to finish the job
England’s chase got off to a shocking start when Ben Duckett was dismissed for a duck with the first ball. Emilio Gay then fell later in the same over bowled by Mohammad Abbas.At 2 for 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under serious pressure.But Root settled things down. He survived a major scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball.It was Ali’s 17th no-ball of the series.Root had another lucky escape when, on 38, he edged Abbas between first and second slip. Neither fielder went for the catch.The England batter made Pakistan pay for the missed opportunities. He went on to complete his 110th score of 50 or more in Test cricket, including 41 centuries.
Cox gives Root strong support
Jordan Cox provided excellent support for Root as the pair took control of the chase.Cox remained unbeaten on 59 and helped England reach the target in just 25 overs.Pakistan had shown plenty of fight in the third Test after conceding a massive 320-run first-innings lead. But England’s dominance in the first two Tests meant the series was already heavily tilted in their favour.Had Pakistan shown the same fight earlier in the series, the contest could have been much closer.
England’s bowlers make the difference
England’s fast bowlers were the biggest difference between the two sides.Ollie Robinson led the attack and finished the series with 21 wickets. Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles as England’s pace attack made the most of helpful conditions.The batting, however, was less convincing.No England batter scored a century across the three Tests, making the series only the eighth three-match Test series without an individual hundred and just the second in England after the 1888 Ashes.
Razaullah gives Pakistan something to cheer
Pakistan’s biggest positive came from debutant Razaullah, who produced an exciting counter-attack at Edgbaston.His thrilling 81 off 63 balls gave Pakistan hope and briefly brought the third Test to life.But it was too late to change the outcome of the series.Pakistan have now lost 16 of their 21 Tests. Their difficult tour was followed by major changes, with seven players replaced in the squad after the second Test and coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul also removed.For England, the series marked a strong return after their disappointing results against New Zealand and the Ashes defeat.Root’s return to the captaincy following Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket also ended on a high.Marcus Trescothick, who took charge as interim red-ball head coach after Brendon McCullum’s departure, will now hand over the side to Stephen Fleming ahead of England’s three-Test tour of South Africa in December and January.
