Sports12 September, 20263 min read
Joe Root Guides England To 3-0 Test Series Whitewash Over Pakistan At Edgbaston
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Root unbeaten 62 as England chased 130 to win by eight wickets at Edgbaston. England complete 3-0 series whitewash after earlier rapid wickets in opening over.
Root, Cox seal 3-0
Joe Root guided England to a 3-0 series whitewash over Pakistan by winning the third Test at Edgbaston with an eight-wicket victory after chasing 130 on day four. England lost Ben Duckett to the first ball and opening partner Emilio Gay later in the same over from Mohammad Abbas, but Root stayed unbeaten on 62 and Jordan Cox finished 59 not out as England reached the target in the 25th over. Reuters said Root was bowled by Mohammad Ali on 23 off a no-ball, and the same report noted it was Ali’s 17th no-ball of the series.
The BBC described how England were reduced to 2-2 in the opening over when Ben Duckett edged Muhammad Abbas’ first ball behind and Emilio Gay was leg before wicket, before Root was reprieved on 23 after Ali overstepped. With the unbroken 128-run stand between Root and Cox, the BBC said Root was unbeaten on 62 when victory was sealed just before lunch, completing England’s sweep.
No-ball reprieve, praise
Root’s early scare became a defining moment, with Reuters saying he had a fortunate escape when he was bowled by Mohammad Ali on 23 off a no-ball, and the BBC adding that Ali was found to have overstepped and Root was reprieved on 23. After England sealed the chase, Reuters quoted Root saying, "Fair play to Pakistan, they threw some punches last night." Reuters also quoted Root on the effect of the scare, saying, "So in many ways we're better for it."
The BBC framed Cox’s role as a further claim for selection, noting that Jordan Cox once again impressed with a composed 59 and that Cox and Root shared an unbroken stand of 128. Pakistan captain Babar Azam told Reuters, "Too many soft dismissals," as he looked back on the first innings that left his side chasing.
Next tests and turmoil
The result ended a turbulent stretch for England, and Reuters said it brought Root a return to the captaincy following Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket, while also noting Marcus Trescothick would hand over to Stephen Fleming for the three-test series in South Africa in December and January. Reuters added that England will be without Jacob Bethell initially due to knee surgery, with Bethell due to come back for the winter tour, and it said one batsman out of Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence and Cox will have to make way. The BBC said England switch formats to begin a white-ball series against Sri Lanka in Southampton on Tuesday, with Brendon McCullum back in charge and Kevin Pietersen part of the coaching staff.
For Pakistan, Reuters said they have now lost 16 of their last 21 Tests and described a chaotic tour capped by replacing seven players in the squad after the second Test and sacking coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul. The Times of India highlighted a rare series statistic, saying it was only the eighth three-match Test series in history to finish without a single individual century, while also noting England chased down 130 with eight wickets in hand.