England have secured their first Test series victory since 2024 by defeating Pakistan at Lord's to establish a 2-0 advantage with one match remaining. Captain Joe Root has called on his squad to mark the achievement responsibly, emphasizing the rarity of winning at the highest level while steering the team away from the off-field controversies that have shadowed the summer.
It's important we're not talking about [off-field matters], absolutely. But it's hard to win Test matches, it's hard to win Test series, so enjoy it and celebrate it, but in a sensible, grown-up way. It's been a really good start to, I don't know what you want to call it, this new team.
The victory at Lord's, where Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas took 5-57 as England were bowled out in the first 40 minutes of day four, extends England's dominance in the three-match series. Having already won the opening Test at Headingley by an innings margin, Root's side now stands on the brink of a comprehensive series triumph ahead of the final encounter.
Root's own performance this summer has drawn scrutiny, with the captain averaging 29.44 across nine innings—a stark contrast to his career average of 50.38. He has been dismissed lbw on seven occasions, including twice in this match at Lord's. Yet the England skipper remains philosophical about his form, attributing some dismissals to marginal umpiring decisions and external factors beyond his control.
How is Root assessing his technical struggles?
Root believes several elements have conspired to create unusually challenging batting conditions. He acknowledged that many of his lbw dismissals have been classified as umpire's call, meaning the ball was marginally in line with the stumps and could easily have been adjudged not out under different circumstances. Rather than viewing his sequence of dismissals as evidence of fundamental technical failure, he has framed the summer as an anomalous convergence of adverse conditions.
I've always been quite good at understanding and eventually problem-solving. I'll continue to keep working hard. I might have been lbw a few times, but lots of those have been umpire's call – if they go the other way it might not be as much of a talking point. We've also seen the ball move more than it ever has. So there has to be a sense of calm and realism around things. I know I'm a good player, and I'd like to think there's a big score around the corner.
What role have the cricket balls played in England's batting difficulties?
Root has pointed to the Dukes cricket balls as a significant factor in the challenging batting environment. He suggested the balls have been manufactured differently this year, with what he believes to be altered lacquer composition affecting their behaviour both in the air and on contact with the bat. The captain noted that during practice sessions, the balls have been cracking bats more frequently than in previous seasons, and they appear noticeably firmer.
I think they've been very different this year. I think there's a different lacquer to them. I don't know, I've not got evidence on that – you probably need to ask Dukes – but I think there's lacquer on the seam. As a batter, when you practice, they're cracking your bats more frequently. And they seem a lot firmer.
Beyond their impact on batting, Root contends that the ball characteristics are also affecting pitch behaviour. When a firmer ball strikes the surface, it creates dents that subsequently cause the pitch to seam and move unpredictably. Combined with overcast conditions and recent rainfall, these factors have created what Root describes as a perfect storm for seam bowling.
I think they're affecting the wickets as well. I think they're denting more. If they dent the wicket it's going to seam off the dents as well, it's going to move more. It's been challenging. Sometimes you do come across summers where it's the perfect storm: you get overcast conditions, you get a bit of rain to contend with, the balls are slightly different. But that's part of the challenge of Test cricket, being able to adapt.
Root also characterized the Lord's pitch itself as
naughty, though he was careful not to dwell on the surface preparation, preferring instead to emphasize the broader environmental and equipment factors at play.
How does Pakistan assess their performance?
Pakistan's fast bowler Mohammad Abbas acknowledged the team's disappointment with their showing in the second Test, yet expressed confidence that the touring side is gradually acclimating to English conditions. Abbas noted visible improvement between the first and second Tests, suggesting that continued exposure to the challenges of playing in England will yield better results as the series progresses.
Everybody's not happy with this performance. We were much better in this match [than in the first Test]. You can see that as time passes we are getting used to the conditions and everything is getting better. As a team, we aren't doing well. But we are working on that.
Abbas pointed toward the upcoming third Test as an opportunity for Pakistan to demonstrate the progress they believe they are making. The final match of the series is scheduled to take place at Edgbaston in Birmingham, where the team hopes to secure a victory and salvage some pride from the tour.
What happens next?
The third and final Test of the series is scheduled for 9-13 September 2026 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. England will be seeking to complete a 3-0 whitewash, while Pakistan will attempt to avoid such a comprehensive defeat. The match also forms part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, adding further significance to the result.
Root's recent management of the England squad has emphasized captain-led standards over rigid rules, a shift that reflects his broader philosophy of treating players as adults. This approach was evident in his decision to scrap the team's midnight curfew ahead of the Pakistan series, signalling a cultural reset that he has reinforced through direct conversations with the squad about conduct expectations.
Key Facts:
- England lead the three-Test series 2-0 after victory at Lord's, their first series win since 2024
- Joe Root is averaging 29.44 this summer, significantly below his career average of 50.38, with seven lbw dismissals in nine innings
- Root attributes batting difficulties to altered ball characteristics, overcast conditions, and pitch behaviour rather than technical failure
- Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas believes the touring side is improving and adapting to English conditions with each match
- The final Test takes place at Edgbaston from 9-13 September 2026
