England registered a thumping win by an innings and 103 runs against Pakistan at Headingley on Friday to go 1-0 up in the three-match Test series. The victory marks a brilliant start to Joe Root’s second stint as the ski…

England registered a thumping win by an innings and 103 runs against Pakistan at Headingley on Friday to go 1-0 up in the three-match Test series. The victory marks a brilliant start to Joe Root’s second stint as the skipper. The match was wrapped up before tea on Day 3 as Pakistan capitulated for the second time in the Test after rain halted play for more than half the day. The emphatic performance by England comes after the disappointing series defeat to New Zealand two months ago, which led to Ben Stokes stepping down from his international career and Brendon McCullum being relieved from red-ball coaching. Hockey World Cup: India keep England at bayOn Day 3, England added 43 runs to their overnight score to score 409 runs and gain a healthy lead of 238 runs. It was then the turn of the pacers to wreck havoc. Pakistan were left with no answers as they were bowled out for just 135 runs in a mere 37.3 overs, as wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was the only positive for the visitors with his 41 runs. Josh Tongue finished with 3/43, while Ollie Robinson registered figures of 3-29. Their match figures of 8-89 and 8-80 respectively were personal career bests in Test cricket. Pakistan lost a wicket without a run on the board for the second time in the match as Imam-ul-Haq gloved one from Jofra Archer to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, leading to a procession. Archer struck again in his next over when he got Azan Awais caught at leg slip by Root, who had just moved himself there. It was Root’s 219th test catch, taking him back ahead of Australia’s Steve Smith atop the all-time non-wicketkeeper list.Saud Shakeel followed after clipping Tongue to the rare backward square leg position where Dan Lawrence took a fine diving catch.When Shan Masood went for 29 from 56 balls, edging Tongue to Ben Duckett at slip, the quick was on a hat-trick for the second time in the match.Salman Ali Agha foiled the attempt but the Pakistan captain was trapped lbw later in the over.As the wickets kept falling, Archer came back to dismiss Mohammad Abbas and finish the match. He took 3/50 in his spell. The difference between the two teams’ pace bowling attacks was on full display, as well as the comfort of the batting units were seen. Pakistan were also poor in the field, widening the gap in all three departments. The second test in the three-match series starts at Lord’s on Thursday when Pakistan will hope to have captain Babar Azam back after a finger injury.(With Reuters inputs)

Source: Deccan Herald