Joe Root returns to the England captaincy and Headingley offers him a fittingly symbolic stage for his second act as England take on Pakistan.
Ben Stokes has retired, taking with him the balance he provided across bat and ball, while Root inherits a side still searching for identity after a bruising summer against New Zealand.
Pakistan's Caribbean triumph ended a miserable run without an away win and Babar Azam's troublesome hand has dominated the build-up.
England come into this series as deserved favourites, with conditions at Headingley only strengthening their case.
Home advantage has counted for plenty here down the years, and England's fast-bowling depth gives them several routes to unsettle Pakistan's top order. Jofra Archer has returned to something like his best, and his pace should trouble a batting line-up containing three left-handers who haven't always looked entirely comfortable against extreme speed.
#jofra
Ben Stokes has retired, taking with him the balance he provided across bat and ball, while Root inherits a side still searching for identity after a bruising summer against New Zealand.
Pakistan's Caribbean triumph ended a miserable run without an away win and Babar Azam's troublesome hand has dominated the build-up.
England come into this series as deserved favourites, with conditions at Headingley only strengthening their case.
Home advantage has counted for plenty here down the years, and England's fast-bowling depth gives them several routes to unsettle Pakistan's top order. Jofra Archer has returned to something like his best, and his pace should trouble a batting line-up containing three left-handers who haven't always looked entirely comfortable against extreme speed.
#jofra
29 days ago
