England’s dominant performance in the third Test at Edgbaston has placed them on the brink of a 3-0 series sweep, though inclement weather denied them a potential victory within just two days. The hosts were in total control when play was halted at 17:07 BST, with Pakistan trailing by 268 runs and facing a steep climb to avoid an innings defeat.
The tourists ended the day at 52-2, having been reduced to 0-2 early in their second innings by a lethal opening spell from Ollie Robinson. Given Pakistan’s struggles throughout the series—having failed to reach 200 runs or bat beyond 51 overs in any innings—there was a genuine possibility of a result by the close of play. While officials had allowed for an extra 30 minutes to force a conclusion, the persistent rain in Birmingham ultimately forced the players off the field.
England’s commanding position was built on a massive first-innings total of 453, which gave them a lead of 320. The innings was defined by a series of significant contributions, led by Harry Brook with 75, Jamie Smith with 69, Dan Lawrence with 65, and a half-century from Robinson. Despite the depth of the scoring, no individual batter managed to reach a century, meaning Ben Duckett’s ton against New Zealand at Trent Bridge remains the only one recorded by an England player this summer.
The morning session saw intent from the middle order, particularly during an 86-run partnership between Brook and Lawrence. Lawrence, who has been a consistent presence since his recall, expressed audible frustration after chopping a delivery from Mohammad Imran onto his stumps, ending his wait for a maiden Test hundred. Brook’s innings concluded when a misjudged single led to his run-out at the non-striker’s end.
Jamie Smith, who has shown significant improvement with both the bat and gloves this summer, contributed 69 before offering a return catch to Razaullah. Robinson, currently in the form of his life, added 50—his first half-century since the 2024 tour of India—and struck a massive six into the Hollies Stand. Jofra Archer also provided late-order momentum with two sixes, finishing unbeaten on 32 as the innings closed with Josh Tongue caught behind.
Under the leadership of Root, England have displayed a more mature, calm approach compared to previous series. Critics had previously noted a lack of ruthlessness in finishing off opponents, but the current squad has demonstrated a clinical edge in this series. While the quality of the opposition has been a factor, England’s ability to dictate the tempo of the game under varying conditions has been a hallmark of their performance.
When Pakistan began their second innings after tea, England aimed to secure the first two-day Test finish in the country since 2000. Jordan Cox stepped in as wicketkeeper for Smith, who was nursing a bruised finger. Robinson immediately dismantled the top order, dismissing Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique in the same over to leave the tourists reeling at 0-2.
Azan Awais and Shan Masood managed to survive 12 overs in the darkening conditions to reach 52-2, though Masood survived a difficult chance at third slip off Gus Atkinson. The teams are scheduled to return on Friday, with England needing eight more wickets to complete their series victory. The report also notes that pakistan 133 (Shakeel 43; Tongue 4-42) & 52-2 (Robinson 2-10). The report also notes that england 453 (Brook 75, Smith 69, Lawrence 65, Gay 60, Robinson 50; Razaullah 4-148). The report also notes that the tourists were battling for survival on 52-2 – 268 adrift of making England bat again – when the bad weather intervened for a second and final occasion in Birmingham. The report also notes that play could have continued until 19:00 if conditions had allowed, with the possibility of an extra half an hour available to force a result. The report also notes that leading by 23, the eventual outcome of this match was barely in doubt when England began Thursday on 156-4. The report also notes that under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, was their inability to finish series strongly, one of the criticisms of the previous England regime. The report also notes that notably at home to Sri Lanka in 2024 and away to New Zealand later the same year, some of their worst performances in the Bazball era came in dead rubbers after a series had been won. The report also notes that stokes often said he did not like the word “ruthless” and there were plenty of times his side lacked ruthlessness.
