England Thrash Pakistan by an Innings and 103 Runs in Root's Captaincy Return

England thrashed Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs inside just three days at Headingley, Leeds, to make the perfect start to the first Test of the series and, with it, Joe Root's first Test back as full-time England captain.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, but were skittled for just 171, with Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson both claiming five-wicket hauls, the first time two England bowlers have taken five-fors in the same innings since Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar managed it back in 2006, also against Pakistan.

England's reply was built around contributions right through the middle order. Harry Brook led the way with 91, Jordan Cox made 73, captain Joe Root chipped in with 66 on his first day back in charge, and Dan Lawrence added 51, as England posted 409, a first-innings lead of 238. Mohammad Usman was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers with 5 for 92, showing plenty of fight despite the lopsided contest.

Set an improbable task of avoiding an innings defeat, Pakistan folded again in their second innings, bowled out for just 135 in only 37.3 overs. Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer with 41, but there was little else to shout about as Robinson (3/29), Tongue (3/43) and Jofra Archer (3/50) shared the wickets and wrapped up the innings before tea.

Ollie Robinson was named Player of the Match for a superb all-round performance, finishing with match figures of 5 for 51 and 3 for 29. The win also saw Joe Root break the record for most catches by a fielder in Test history, moving past Steven Smith's mark of 218. With Pakistan left with plenty to ponder, attention now turns to the second Test at Lord's, starting Thursday, as Root's new-look England side look to seal the series.