Root guides England to series sweep

England beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third Test at Edgbaston to complete a 3-0 series sweep, despite losing both openers inside the first over of their chase.

Chasing just 130, Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay were both dismissed by Mohammad Abbas without scoring, before Joe Root steadied the innings alongside Jordan Cox. Root survived two let-offs, a no-ball reprieve after chopping on off Mohammad Ali, and a dropped catch between the slips off Abbas, before reaching a half-century off 57 balls. He finished unbeaten on 62, with Cox unbeaten on 59, as England reached the target in the 25th over.

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The tense finish came after Pakistan debutant Razaullah, who also took four wickets in England’s first innings, hit an audacious 81 off 63 balls including nine sixes, adding 121 for the ninth wicket with fellow paceman Abbas (42) to briefly threaten an England collapse on the third day.

Razaullah’s innings could not prevent Pakistan slumping to a miserable series, having already lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs. The tourists sent seven players home after the Lord’s defeat, bringing in seven replacements including Razaullah, and sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul as the tour descended into chaos.

Pakistan were bowled out for just 133 in their first innings at Edgbaston despite four changes to their side.

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The clean sweep offers England a significant boost following a turbulent few months that included a series loss to New Zealand and the departures of head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. Tougher tests await, though, with a tour of South Africa in December and January followed by a home Ashes series next year.

– AFP

Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

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