Eng vs Pak, 2nd Test – Root claims the Dukes’ harder seam is the root cause of their bantamweight struggles

The third Test at Edgbaston, which begins on September 9, will provide Root with the opportunity to raise that average, as well as his overall summer figures of 265 runs at 29.44. He could also use the remaining two runs to ensure he leaves the summer with a century, something he has not failed to do since 2019.

However, Root is not worried, even if seven of the nine sent off this season have been overweight. The ICC’s No. 2-ranked batsman – below team-mate Harry Brook – has vowed to iron out whatever kinks there may be, especially at a time when teams are targeting him and Brook by bringing the wicket-keeper to the stumps in order to pin them down to the crease.

“I would have loved to score more goals,” Root said in his post-match press conference. “It was difficult, but when you win games, it’s important to see things for what they are.

“The reason I have the speeds I have, and have the time to play Test cricket, is because I have always been very good at understanding, leveling up and ultimately solving problems. I will continue to keep working hard.”

“I may have been out at top weight a few times, but four of them were at the call of the referee. If they had gone the other way, it might not have been a moot point.

“Again, I think you have to look at it from a realistic point of view. There’s clearly a trend and it’s happened a few times, but to what extent is this really a concern?”

“If I go out in this way and in other ways, it’s even more worrying. Of course I’m aware of that, but I have 14,000 points for a reason. I can play and I’ve been able to get through difficult stages throughout my career. I don’t see this being any different.”

“We also saw the ball moving more than ever before. Three of those dismissals were at Lord’s, where it held up remarkably well. I think there has to be a sense of calm and realism about things, but I will also continue to work on my game and improve it. I know I’m a good player and I’d like to think there’s a big result around the corner.”

The root is correct. The lateral movement off the field at Lord’s, where he dropped weight to New Zealander Nathan Smith in June ahead of Mohammed Abbas and Mohammed Ali in this Test, was particularly glaring. CricViz noted that this second test surface attracted the second highest percentage of foul shots (32.7%) out of more than 800 matches where this data has been collected since 2006.

But the 35-year-old also has a theory about why this summer has been a paradise for bowlers – the Dukes’ balls.

The result, according to Root, is a more aggressive seam that creates grooves in the pitch that exacerbate the action when other deliveries hit it, and also indent the bat during practice. The Dukes insist there has been no change in the manufacturing process.

“I think the balls were just different this year,” Root said. “I think there’s a different color to them. I don’t know, I don’t have proof of that…and.” [you] Maybe I need to ask Dox, but I think there’s paint on the seam. They don’t want to go out of shape and change them, and I think it affects the wicket as well.

“I think they’re hitting the wicket more. As a batsman when you’re training, they’re breaking your bat more frequently and it looks sturdier. And if they’re hitting the wicket, you’ll be stitching up the scratches as well. It’ll make it move more. I wonder if there’s an element of that as well.”

In terms of the result overall, Root was buoyed by how a much-changed Test team adapted to challenges, not just underfoot but including the environment after a summer of change, controversy and defeat.

Braydon Carse was handcuffed outside a Derby nightclub last weekend, a matter Derbyshire Police say they are still investigating in relation to allegations of assault, which brought more to Root’s door between Pakistan’s first and second Test.

Root sat down with the team at Lord’s on Tuesday morning to remind them of the honor of playing for England. Five days later, he was immersed in the way the team backed Headingley to victory, with an innings and 103 runs, with a further 194 over four rain-affected days. The net result is England’s first win in the series since December 2024.

“When we spoke at the start of the week, although not necessarily about cricket… that’s what I said; this is a group of players who are going to lead this team and be around it for a long period of time, and everyone on and off the field has a real opportunity to influence it and shape it.

“The two performances we’ve had so far have been a really good step in the right direction in that regard.

“The opportunity now is to go and do it again at Edgbaston, in whatever situation we find ourselves in, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, and then move on again towards the next challenge when we get out to South Africa.”

While he encouraged his players to enjoy the responsibility of success, he appealed to them not to repeat previous mistakes.

“Yes, it’s important not to talk about it, for sure! Test matches are hard to win, Test series are hard to win… Enjoy it and celebrate it, but in a sensible mature way.”