Test Match Special - Cox and Root guide England to clean sweep despite Edgbaston scare.

Episode Date: September 12, 2026

Simon Mann is joined by Jonathan Agnew, Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook, Ramiz Raja, Phil Tufnell and Andy Zaltzman to review a dramatic 3rd Test against Pakistan, look back on the men’s red ball summer as a whole and look ahead to the Tests in the winter.We also get reaction from England captain Joe Root, Pakistan captain Babar Azam, Player of the Match Dan Lawrence. Player of the Series Ollie Robinson and England interim coach Marcus Trescothick.

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They won by eight wickets with half-centries from Joe Root and Jordan Cox to win the series by three matches to nil. There were times today when it was changed. just a little bit iffy for England. It was two for two at one stage, and then 36 for three, potentially, when Joe Root was bold, but it was a no ball,

and that was Pakistan's last opportunity, really. How do you reflect Jonathan Agnew on this series? Well, I really enjoyed the last couple of days. I mean, I think they've been absolutely fantastic. And Joe Roots here. Well, well done, he got there. Yeah, we did. And, you know, actually, if you look at the time,

on day one it looked a good pitch and if you said we were going to be chasing 130 in the final innings we're definitely taking that and that being said fair play to Pakistan they threw some punches last night made it very difficult for us and it has in some ways it's a good thing for us to go through that test cricket's not you're not always going to have your own way you're going to have good services to come up and find different ways of taking wickets and but you know to see us actually be quite clinical with the bat off the back of that as as well was good too.

So in many ways, I think we're better for it. Does that include yesterday afternoon? Because I must talk about that, because that all seemed a bit chaotic there towards the end. And sometimes that's what happens in those late stages. It's become more and more frequent within modern day crickers. Guys can bat all the way down. It's not, no disrespect, but it's not like it was maybe 50 years ago

when you had bowlers and batters. It's more all rounders now and more guys. We obviously didn't have a lot of information on the young fan. Fair play, played some wonderful shots. Obviously, Rodis look a little bit, but plays and misses. Maybe we could have gone to maybe slightly different plans, but we'll learn from it. And we find ourselves in another situation further down the line,

and we'll have something else to go to. Maybe look more into white-ball stuff and maybe have a few more specific plans to teach patterns. But as I said, we didn't have a lot of information to work with. No, of course. And I do think we'll be better off having that experience in the bank. And like I said, test cricket's not meant to be easy. You're not supposed to have it all your own way all the time.

And the last two days almost felt like normal test cricket again. You have to work hard for your wickets. If you get in, you should be able to score runs and feel like you can make a valuable contribution and not feel like you're waiting for that good ball all the time. But that being said, throughout the series, the batterers have stood up. I know we've not got a guy gone on and make a really big hundred, but that's been across the board all summer. There's not been many of those kind of situations and pitches

where that's been available to happen. And actually the fact that everyone has got a score and contributed and shown that they have the quality to perform the test cricket is also a good thing too. So of course there's things that we'll want to improve on and look at. But at the same time, we've come into this series, a lot of question marks around the team and stuff, and we've walked away 3-0 quite convincingly.

So in that respect, I'm quite happy. I'll have a word about Jordan Cox, actually, because he really played well there with you just now. Yeah, he did. It showed great maturity, and it has done throughout the whole series, really, and to say not had much experience back at number three, in some of the conditions we found ourselves in as well,

the manner in which he's played has been outstanding. And today showed, I'd say, great composure, great maturity, two for two. You know, there's the only way back in for them was a start like that and the way that I think the way that we both ended up here in particular was brilliant how do you reflect on this summer Joe I mean now you know you haven't had a sit down on a proper sort of reflection where you might in your armchair tonight but here you are at September you're England captain again

yeah one three nil fantastic but when you look back at the whole summer I mean you wouldn't have expected this would you not not at all I mean when you all you know that initial reset no but sometimes this game's those things at you and when it does it's sometimes how you respond to that and as a group I think where we found ourselves coming into this series a lot of change a lot of sort of uncertainty and things up in the air and noise around the group and as I say to come into it with little preparation for the back of the hundred and to be as convincing in the winds that we've had it's been it's been really good and I think

you've got to take it for what it is sometimes it's not necessarily gone how you'd expect to somewhere to go but we come out of it 3-0 with some really exciting tours this winter and a lot of things to take from it. Do you feel that it is kind of back on tracking and you're back on the rails? Let's be honest, we're not the finished article. We're not going to kid. It's like more of the image really and then hold the whole question of what's been going on this summer. And that will be a constant work on.

I think the culture of this team is not something that's going to happen just overnight. It's going to be something that we're going to have to live and breathe day and day. day and day out and but you know there's no reason why we kind of a good set of lads are really good guys that work incredibly hard and as I say performances like this and I guess commitment to what we're trying to achieve both on and off the field is what will earn trust and respect back from everyone that supports us are you glad you've taken it on yeah I'm excited for it like I said you know it's it's different this time round I'm looking forward

Stephen coming over and getting to work with him a little bit more closely we've obviously spoken quite a lot over the phone but you know over the next little while it'd be a good opportunity for us to get to know each other a little bit better and we start preparing for the winter now see you there thanks to talk to us joe congratulations well done thank you I'm here with barbara as him who as always has got a smile on his face well there were some moments there baba that were really very good for you yes we have a couple of good moments I think we have balled well But I think first inning they cost us too much soft dismissal and then we come back in the second inning and second we have a bat long. A few good performances.

I think the good opportunity for youngster to play like quality baller against quality baller, against quality quality opponent. so he learned a lot and I think his help in the future. It's about Ramazula. I mean, crike, he's captured everybody. I mean, bowling and batting. Yes, he's a raw talent.

I think they're good for us because they have a play a lot of cricket back home. They're playing first class and then they improve a lot. Day by day when we're playing, you know, as a player, you play a lot of cricket, then you learn a lot of things. I think this match gives him a lot of confidence, both sides bowling and batting.

So good for him, and wish him good luck for the rest of the year. Well, we all do. We all want to see him progress. And the way that cricket is structured in Pakistan, a lot of focus on whiteball cricket, is he a really good example of having to keep somebody in the red ball game playing test cricket? Yeah, but now we are for, before we have a focus.

red ball rather than we have focused white ball so the PCB and all of the stakeholder are trying to do a lot of red ball cricket over there because we are coming back home and then we are playing first-class kicker after one or two days we have a first class going on so good for us for rest of the cricket because when we are playing lot of red ball cricket then you learn a lot of good things and especially few boys are stay here for playing Conti cricket. I think I heard about a few players stay here for country cricket. Good for us.

Yeah, I mean, pace, reverse swing, and he's young. I mean, he's got a lot to go for him. Yes, looking forward to him because before they come here, they have a small camper in Pakistan with a fastball camp, and then they recognize they might be difficult for England because of pace and then we carry on here and I think you see

a lot of talent in batting and bowling and I think when he's playing more cricket the more experience. I just last thought it was a bit a bit chaotic, the build-up with the players going back and so on.

How will you look back on this tour about? Look, this is not our control. Our control is just see our things. How do I perform? Inside I do perform? as a team and we are think about our things. Yes, sometimes it's different, difficult.

But unfortunately is not your hand, but we are trying to do our doing best in the ground. Well, it's a really good finish. Thank you, Mnuch indeed. I look forward to see. I'll see you in Roll Pindi. Bye-bye. Bye-bye.

Dan Lawrence. Hello, hello. Dan, congratulations. I don't think I've had a chance to say well done on getting back in the side again, are there? So he's really chuffed and wearing a man in the match. Makes it all worthwhile. Yeah, absolutely. Great to be back in the team and I've really enjoyed my few weeks.

I wasn't expecting 65 to be man in the match. Oh, come on, it was a very good 65. It might have been that nice little wicket down the leg side. Yeah, it was nice to contribute. Yeah, it was nice to get a couple of wickets and take a decent catch and, yeah, fairly decent all-round game. Is that the first time you've taken the new ball? No, it's not actually. We've had a couple of long field incidents for Sari this season where I've ended up taking it. And yeah, I think at that stage, we were trying anything to get the nine and ten out. And, yeah, thankfully it worked. Yeah, absolutely.

How does it feel to be back and to be batting in this position, rather that rather strange experience that you had at the Oval that time? Yeah, it feels great. I've also come into this series with a lot more form than I had before, and I'm really happy with my technique, whereas before I wasn't necessarily happy with the way I was going. Yeah, it's obviously more familiar to me, and it's something that I'm used to, and yeah, hopefully I can continue.

in that spot. Yeah, and bowling-wise, being serious for a minute, I mean, you're really working on that. It's quite a key spot actually now, isn't it yours? Yeah, I mean, it's something that I've really, really tried to work on over the last couple of years. Obviously, this series are big four quicks have sort of blown them away most games,

so I haven't had the chance to bowl overs, but if that's going to help me stay in the side and try and help contribute, then it's something I'm going to keep working and pushing on. See you soon. Thanks, Dan, well play. Congratulations. Here's Marcus Droskethic with John. Marcus, thank you very much indeed, for coming over.

Well, that was interesting last day. Yeah, yeah. First sort of 10 minutes were a bit more challenging than expected, but I think we all knew it was a good pitch and we fairly comfortable really at what we needed to do. But obviously, just for that, Dutch truck, first over, just challenged us a bit, but after that we did the job. Yeah.

How have you found this experience, Marcus? You know, he was. I don't know, what you're temporarily in charge. Does it feel temporarily, or have you been able to really throw yourself into it? Very much into it, yeah. It's been invested from the opportunity of getting that chance. And it's been brilliant. I have loved every minute, the opportunity to look after the team.

You're into everything, you're chatting with players, you're trying to work out plans, you're picking the heavy roll or whatever, all these different things that come around. And there's so much to do, but you know, you're just invested because it's, you know, the opportunity to do it. And to actually come away with three nils is brilliant for the team, so delighted. I mean, you've been an assistant coach for a long time now. So do I actually do the main thought processes has been fun? Yeah, absolutely. I had the opportunity in the West Indies to do some white ball

and a little bit against Australia a couple of years ago. Test match is very different in terms of the structure of what you're trying to do, the build up for it. There's a lot more time to plan and to try and structure everything that's happening. And obviously the pressure of the game, I think. Maybe in England we just have a great love of test cricket that you want to succeed and win and you know we have a great idea about what we're trying to do and we've managed to do it over the course of this series everything

that we wanted to do has come to fruition does it feel more settled Marcus I mean it has been off the field a bit of a crazy summer I mean everyone will accept that it are things back on track I mean do feel that you've got a squad here that's really focused well when we when I first came in and you know we had the sort of transition from Ben and and and Baz. We just wanted to try and calm everything down, keep it really simple, and not try and get too dramatic with our plans, get back into a bit of simplicity with our cricket,

and value the opportunity for the big scores, which haven't come. We haven't managed to nail that over the course of this series, but we've got a lot of consistency in good players. Gradually, game by game, we've sort of got better and done a better job, and I feel the team is moving in the right direction, definitely. It's always good when you have a series win and to win 3-0 is great. It now hands over to the next phase of what's gone on. This phase has been good and we've done what we need it to do

and then Stephen Fleming can come in and now sort of carry it forward from here. And do you have any idea what your role might be with the new coach arriving? Not yet, no, we're still waiting. We've had various conversations with Rob Key and people behind the scenes. I believe Stephen's coming over to the next few days. And obviously we're now moving straight down into the whiteboard into stuff tomorrow. We'd practice tomorrow afternoon and then Monday morning before we get going on Tuesday. So, you know, we'll continue with this series.

Sorry, the next series, the Sri Lanka series. And then we'll see what's happening after that. Last talk to you, Marcus. Thank you, Russian, D. Good luck. Right. How many times have I interviewed you this summer, Ollie Robinson? and goodness say, what am I going to ask you today? Well, congratulations. Man of the series, fantastic.

Thank you very much, yeah. It's my first one, so it's pretty special, and it's always nice to stop it off with a 3-0 win. Yeah, I mean, what sort of summer has this been for you? It's extraordinary. It's fairy tale stuff, really, isn't it? I think earlier this year I wouldn't have expected to even be on the park for England,

so to be here, play of the series, a couple of men of the matches. It's just been amazing, and I think in a few weeks it was settling. Right now it just feels so, surreal to get these accolades and put these performances back on the pitch for England. I also know the hard work's not done. There's a lot of work to keep doing.

We've got a big series in the winter to prove to people again that I can do it and that we can do it as a team as well. So, yeah, there's a lot of work still to be done, but it's great to get these accolades this summer. Yeah. How much has the wicket keepers standing up at the stump actually helped you, and not just here, but how much you think it will help on harder, flatter pitches in South Africa, for instance?

Yeah, it's allowed me to bow a little bit fuller. And I think as a tall guy, a lot of my normal bowling, if you like, when the keeper's back, the ball's going over the stumps. And I think when the keeper's up, the battles of that a bit deeper allows me to keep the stumps in play a little bit more. DRS? DRS is helping as well. And I think I've probably not got as many LB bowl dismissals in my career as I have this summer almost. I think my dismissal is normally nickoff or maybe a couple LBs.

But yeah, the keeper ups added that new dimension to test cricket, isn't it? I know the pitches have been helpful, but even on flatter wickets, I don't see that really going anywhere. I feel like that will aid the bowlers on flatter wickets. I have no doubt Smudge could stand up to Gus or Tungi if you really wanted. He's that skillful. He's really had a good summer too, isn't he, by the stumps? Unbelievable, yeah.

I think he obviously had his doubters, but I think he's answered a lot of questions this summer, which is great for him as well. And I think to the other three seamers, who struggled in the winter in the ashes, I think they've come out this summer and showed that they've developed and come on again, as well. So as a group we're training in the right direction and we just have to keep that going and keep pushing on and trying to be the best testing that we can be. How do you keep this going? How do you keep this run of form and everything else going before what's in Africa I guess? Yeah I'm realist. I know it's not always going to be this good and

there are going to be tougher days like they were yesterday. We were saying in a change from yesterday how good it is to have a tough day sometimes and to make you realize that you're not quite there, you're not quite where we want to be. We didn't bowl as well as we wanted to in the morning. So those days are always good for us as a bowling group, and we're all learning, we're all trying to help each other. And we know that there's going to be tougher times ahead. We've got some tougher opposition coming out,

and we're looking forward to the challenge. Well, you've had an amazing summer, Oli. Congratulations, and thanks for talking to each other. Thank you. Cheers. The TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live. Your sales order says one thing. Your inventory says another. Your spreadsheet says,

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with a subscription to BBC Podcasts Premium on Apple Podcasts. You can also enjoy a range of our podcasts ad-free with an Amazon music subscription. Well that's the main reaction. Just pick out some of the comments there. Actually, Ollie Robinson said it, Joe Root said it. We needed to go through that last night. It was a good experience for us.

I mean, is that a bit of positive spin on that situation last night when they were disappearing around the park? Yeah, I like that kind of language and conversation, but we have seen that before from this England team. And those conversations clearly haven't happened. So I totally agree when you're learning as a team trying to develop you have to go through good periods obviously after win games and you have to go through periods where you make a few mistakes and

yesterday they made some mistakes and the key is getting together as a group and the next time they're in that situation probably will be in South Africa or next year against Australia we'll judge them whether they've changed whether the tactics have changed from what we saw yesterday because the shortball theory that we've seen for a while now we've all said it against the better players when they get in IA, Babbar Azam it's a good tactic but when you get down the tail you know you you've got to hit the top of Austin,

you've got to bring all dismissals into play. Yeah, so they had a couple of hours yesterday that they will know that, I'll say the wheels fell off, but it was close, and hopefully they can get those wheels back on. Yeah, so I'm happy to do with that kind of language that they understand that they didn't quite get it right.

Do they mean it though? Do they say, do they really mean it? We'll see, you know, it's all about winning, it's all about winning the big series. You know, South Africa away is a big challenge for this group. And obviously the ashes in the year's time, that is a big,

big challenge for this team and this leadership group and that's what they're going to get judged on but this series has been a series where they had to win and they had to win well and they've done that to a decent level it's just been one afternoon where it wasn't quite right and that was yesterday other than that they've dominated the series clearly alist is here as well I think they will but I think this regime will look at it I think maybe under Stokes here to take on note this is the way we're doing it we're gonna back you know he's quite like that as a captain I actually do think under

Joe, they will go, no, we will look at this and we will review it with more structure than say a previous regime. We can only judge it. We don't know what the conversation has. We can only judge it the next time it happens and have they learned. But I think there's a bit more sensible thinking that I think they will go around it. But I will keep throwing in the cabinet. It isn't as easy as just bowling at the stumps because the ability of hitting sixes has changed over the last 15 years. And they were tested a bit this morning as well, Michael. as well, weren't they when they were two for two?

So it wasn't a gimmie for, for Jordan Cox. No, I mean Jordan Cox is grown in stature. To go out there, opening the batting really, he's in there the second ball. Ketwell yesterday. You know, you look at the next test match in South Africa, I'd find

it very hard to leave a Jordan Cox out at number three. Jacob Bethel has had that one innings in Sydney, which was very special. But I like to see consistency in terms of the team winning and when you get a team that's winning, those that are out of the group have to do something to get back in and I think Jacob Bethel has to play a bit of cricket to I don't think it's right for someone like Jacob just to come straight back into this England side at the expense of someone like Jordan.

Look they might put Jordan Cox to open and put Jacob at number three that is an option for the England crete team but you know I like the way that this team have played and if I was England I'd go to the next game and if everyone's fit I'd roll the same team out once again Well, I didn't think Jordan will get another opportunity to bat in this game. So I wouldn't have been unhappy if he'd stepped back because he'd done okay. But suddenly today, under pressure, when he came on second ball. And again, the calmness he went about. He didn't give a chance. Joe gave two chances, or had two lies, really. Not a chance.

Everything was played beautifully under his eyes. Played the situation really well. And when the game started winning, I think he was at 50 run rate, whatever, the strike rate. And then accelerated nicely. So he's then suddenly, what today is done for me, he's delivered under pressure, so therefore he goes, you can't leave, I don't think you can leave a person out, it's just got you over the game, a six odd not out. I don't think you can. But because he's got that opportunity, he's grabbed it. I'm not sure this is an easy question necessarily to answer.

But how good is this England team? Is it TBD really still? I think it's all right. I think it's a work in progress. I mean, we can't judge the England team on this series because, you know, Pakistan, I mean, they showed something yesterday and Razoril has been absolutely fantastic for Pakistan, but this is a really poor team. You know, it's a poor cricket team that you would expect most counties actually to beat.

So let's not get too excited. But what you see in this England side is a huge amount of talent. You know, Jordan Cox just looking so calm at three, got England's greatest at four. Harry Brook is a generational talent at five. You know, Dan Lawrence is fitted in lovely at number six. Then you've got Jamie Smith, who's keeping has been brilliant, and he's batting has looked good this summer. And then the bowling attack, he's got everything.

So we can't say they're a great team or a really good team at the minute because they haven't beaten the better team. They haven't won a five-match series since 2017. We're nearly 10 years since we won a five-match series, and that's what you get judged on. You get judged on in this era, Aschie Series, Indian Series, and World Test Championship. We've got not come anywhere near getting to a World Test Championship final,

in our own backyard and I'd love England to really have a focus of making sure I don't think they'll get into next years but the one after that this should be a real focus of wanting to play a world test championship final here in the UK you know it'd be a great experience it'd be a great achievement to get there and so far over the course of since it's been in action they haven't come close so the question is are they a good team no they're not yet but do they have the talent and the potential to become a really good team I think they do yeah what do you make of that question Jonathan Yeah, absolutely about the same.

I mean, there's still a bit of a question mark about the opening batting, isn't it? And Cox could, I mean, what I like about Cox is I think he could bat anywhere. Anyway, from one down to six, you know, or keep wicket. I mean, he's a really, really versatile, all-round cricketer, isn't he?

What would you do with that England top order? Well, I think I'll probably still stick with gay. I think I'd definitely give him a couple of games in South Africa. I just think he's probably earned that, and they've invested in him, and he's had six tests here. Yeah, he got a number. nailed today. Which is a shame.

We're just waving the trophy around there behind us. That's the noise. The England team with Joe Root at the front there, waving the trophy. The spinner, obviously, that is a bit of a question, mark. There is not a front line spinner. The attack I'm really happy with and the reserves as well. I think there are some backups there for virtually

all the types of bowling that we have, actually. So, no, I think it's got a lot of potential. It's tighter as well. I think leading up to halfway through this summer when all the change happened, it was just too loose. And we know that, the way that they play cricket. But I've been really encouraged by the way that Harry Brooke has batted in this new regime at Heading Lee and again here.

Sensible, discipline, but still with so much talent. It just feels a bit more professional and a bit, and a bit tighter, a bit more focused. So you feel they're in a better place now than they were at the start of the summer, despite the fact they lost the big series of the summer? Definitely. I mean, they will miss Ben Stokes, the cricket.

Because again, he balances the side, you know. But as far as tightening it is concerned, I think they are going in the right direction. Aramese is here as well. Reflections on Pakistan Aramis. I mean, there was some fight yesterday, but it's 3-0. It's three big defeats.

Well, absolutely, and it's a wake-up call. You've got to get your house in order, test cricket in order, make sure that there's less chaos around the dressing room, make sure that you make the captain strong, because that's how the game is run. And also, I think the players got to look after themselves when it comes to playing well in difficult conditions. There was a huge opportunity for some of these players

of these players to make a name for themselves in the series because England always is a special place for them. But the fan falling was dwindled because the performances have not been coming through. And so Pakistan need to realize the importance of winning them back and that can only happen if they play better cricket. How significant was Raza Ulla's performance yesterday? Did it show, look, this is what we can do if we get it right? Yeah, I mean he was an inspiration, really inspirational selection.

And then, you know, he stood out amongst the rest because he was careful in a way, you know, there's hardly any extra baggage that he was carrying. And just presented his case so strongly that if you got talent and if you've got a bit of a ticker, then you can be successful anywhere in the world. So, I mean, his was a remarkable performance under the circumstances. Where do you see this Pakistan team going forward? I mean, do you still feel actually, you know, do you still worry for it, really, as a test nation? Yes, I do because there's a lot of emphasis in subcontinent especially, as is in Pakistan, on one-day cricket, one-day format.

And so to become a household name all over the world, it's about winning such moments, such series. And if you're not a good test match side, people will not really rate you. So that has to be instilled in the minds of these young cricket especially, that test cricket is the real challenge and you've got to work on it. Let's get a word with Tuffers as well. He's joining down the boundary. What's your assessment of this summer toughness? Well, still a few questions to be answered, aren't there? But, I mean, from a position of strength, you know,

they're good questions to ask. And I think that Stephen Fleming is going to be coming in. He hasn't been here or looking after the team for this one. But it's always good to come in to a side that's just won a series and people patting each other on the back. There'll be a bubble and a fizz about this England side. But they're asked in a few. Just listening to Sir Wallace to Cook there,

I don't think you can. drop a Jordan cock straight away for Jacob Bethel. He's coming and done everything that's been deserved. I was really impressed, actually, with the way he batted today. We've been asking for batters to read the situation, and I think he did. He realised that Mohammed Abbas was the threat, wasn't? He played really tight and sort of compact for that,

and then let the run sort of flow early on. So there's lots and lots of pluses for England, but there will just be a little bit of juggling about for Stephen Fleming to do. Yes. I was actually interested by Joe Rout's answer when I said, to him about are you back on the rails? Are you back on track? And I meant off the field, really.

And he said, well, yes, but he thought about it. And he said, well, I think we're getting there. I mean, he's not getting ahead of himself, is he? He acknowledges that that is all going to take time. The culture of the team, as he talked about. And that's only a couple of months ago, all of that. And it's still there. And it's very important that the England cricket team

does reconnect with its fans, its supporters, and the board can reconnect with sponsors. I mean the whole image of the game has taken quite a battering really over the last well since since the ashes began really and it's up it's up to it's up to root to get it back on track and he's not getting ahead of himself no he said look it will it will take time you know it wasn't that long ago where it was all in a bit of disarray wasn't it you know I could go back to Trent Bridge and New Zealand and coaches and captains and cultures and what everything be it has sort of smoothed out very quickly and very quickly and very nicely I know that there will be tougher challenges ahead obviously than Pakistan but that they've got it on that sort of basic sort of footing now that they can now move forward Stephen Fleming very experienced I think he's going to be a great appointment for England I suppose the immediate issue for them is how do they celebrate tonight quietly glass of ribina

room service well that's the one ram out of sight yes out of sight out of sight is the right thing well that's yeah I mean listen we're not saying that you can't celebrate a victory. You pay fantastically well and you've done what's been put in front of you. Yes. Yeah, so you just, you know, you have a couple of beers

and you go back and you pat each other on the back. Listen, some of them are playing on Tuesday, aren't they? In the one day. Like one day practice tomorrow. Yeah, one day practice tomorrow. So a couple of beers and done, I think. Stephen Fleming coming in, Jonathan. What sort of influence do you think he will have?

I mean, has it been a bit odd in not being here. I mean, I felt this been not. I'm sure a lot of people who have supported the game. He's going to Africa, I think, watching the rugby, isn't he? what I heard.

Yeah, it is. But I mean, I think, you know, he, I think, and Joe Root will be a really good combination because Stephen Fleming, the cricketer, was a hardworking, traditional test-playing captain. You know, he was not a flashy player. He's someone who had to work hard for his runs. And, of course, he's now had all that experience of the IPL.

So that won't count much for test cricket, but he's been used to managing people, managing big names and all of that. I think he'll be really good. He's a very intelligent fellow. You'll enjoy interviewing, Simon. He's a good man. I think he and Joe Root actually will be a very good combination now.

Yeah, I love Bazzie's comment, actually. He's just like me, but a little bit better. And I played under Stephen at Middlesex. And he's quite tough as well. You know, so he comes across, you know, very approachable. Tough in what way? Well, you know, if you start messing about too much, you know, or you're not quite turning up on time

and things like that, just little basic things like that, he'll give you a little bit of rope, but then if you're not on it and you're not prepared, we've been talking about being prepared so much, haven't we, and you're not ready for the fight,

he'll give you a hurry up as well. So looking forward to seeing how it translates, but I think they've just got such a great start for it, if you know what I mean. Everything just seems to have calmed down a little bit now. I know there's a lot of whiteball cricket to come, actually stacks of whiteboard. cricket that are come but let's look ahead to the test series a little bit in

in South Africa I mean how big a challenge is that I mean England actually normally do well in South Africa don't they've had they've had some success down there yeah they have it's only three tests yeah I mean they're the world champions which is surprising and it's a weakness of that tournament isn't it that you can actually come in as they did to get are they the best side well that's the question isn't I mean no probably not but we'll learn more from the Australian tour there that's going to be taking place shortly I think Rabada makes a lot of difference either way.

If he's fit and firing, you know, he's a really dangerous sport. They've got plenty of pace. I think they'll be tough. And we haven't yet seen how much of using up P-word again, how much preparation you're going to have. And they must have learnt that lesson. But yeah, that will be a good challenge. It'll be flat pitches.

You'll see how the attack goes. I'm interested in Rolly Robinson talking about the week you're standing up actually again. You know, it doesn't really matter what the pitches are like, all the conditions are like to have the keeper standing up does make a difference so it's a really interesting series yeah I think so too

they've got the firepower with the ball South Africa at home there'll be different lengths compared to what they're faced here against Pakistan it'll be sheer pace and they've got to gut it out and also another place where you can make a name for yourself you know batting conditions are not always there

in South Africa Cape Town can be a it up and down but at the end of the day they go there with a winning mindset which is going to be very important yeah it's a tough series always is you know south africa they won't uh you know they won't fold they'll they'll fight tooth and nail going to be interested to see how this four-man quartet go over there lots been made of them we've been talking about it all of their roles and they're all slotting in and we seem to have all the bases coming a few cracks last night though well few cracks last night but that's the one thing i think that fleming will have to come in to say it happens to but Too regularly to this England side, doesn't it?

You know, okay, people say, oh, it's just cricket. Sometimes a guy can have a bit of a swish and get some, but it happens too many times from my liking. So they're going to have to get some plans sorted about that. But it's just going to be interesting to see how those four quicks of England go on those kind of pitches. What sort of summer has it been, Jonathan, test-wise then? It's been a fascinating.

I mean, we won't forget this summer, will we, for everything has happened. I mean, it's been so unpredictable. And yes, I think it's been a little. lot of focus clearly on what's been happening off the field. And that was coming to a head during the ashes. And I think people who were perhaps commenting on what we were saying in Australia might now have seen the sort of picture a little more clearly for themselves. And there was a lack of professionalism.

You've got to say that. And it's a harsh thing to say about an international sports team. But the evidence is there. You can't refute what's happened. It was happening this summer. And if they can get that on track, and I think they will, I don't think Joe Root will take any nonsense at all. Neither will Stephen Fleming.

Then this team focused and working hard and going forward, I think we'll do well. As the cricket, well, it has been a bit up and down. I mean, actually, the way New Zealand played at Trent Bridge was really good, hard-fought, difficult pitch. Runs have been difficult to come by. So I think this will be a summer that perhaps you look back on next year with the ashes and we'll consider the changes that have been made fundamentally to the culture of this team

and well from hopefully from an English perspective we'll consider that it was that the changes have been a good thing. It's all been quite similar hasn't it? You know there's been you kind of knew I mean why we all love this job is that you don't quite know what you're going to get every day but you kind of did this summer, didn't you know, Keeper Standing Up, Oliin Robinson taking wickets in his first overs and what have you. It's all been quite similar, but thoroughly enjoyable again. I think England have taken a leaf out of Australia's book a little bit. Sorry, New Zealand's book a little bit.

And, you know, my highlight for the summer was that 100 at Trent Bridge by Mitchell. You know, get stuck in. So many blows on the body. So many blows on the body. Get stuck in. I shall not pass and fight and fight. And if you get the ascendance in, really ram it home, don't give it away. So yeah, I've thoroughly enjoyed it. It's been nice and warm, hasn't it?

It certainly has. Let's get some statistical analysis to finish now from Andy Zoltzman. What's caught your eye then Zoltz? Well, it's been a very curious summer statistically, particularly from the batting point of view. England have won this series 3-0 without scoring a century. It's only the 10th time in test history that a team has won a series of three or more matches without anyone scoring a century. Only the second time England have done it. And only one other team has ever won a series 3-0 without 100. That was Australia and West Indies last year on some fiendishly difficult pitches for batting. One of the sort of curiosities of England's recent matches, since the Boxing Day test, they've won five tests.

And no one scored 100 in any of those games. And their previous eight wins had at least one century in. historically you'd expect about one in four victories not to contain a century so to have five in a row is well I think tells something about the pitches that we've seen that's certainly that game in Melbourne and the matches England have won of one this summer have been some very very difficult pitches and so look at you know how those players have done despite there being no hundreds Harry Brooke for example so that a huge performance in those in those victories without putting up big numbers in those

wins combined 330 runs average 40 top scored in the first innings of four out of those five games. Sometimes you get obsessed with milestones. But I think Brooks had a highly effective summer without breaking that run of century-free test that goes back now for him 11 tests to the Oval test last year. So, yeah, it's kind of been interesting from that point of view.

The bowling obviously has been completely dominant for England. Olly Robinson in this series, 21 wickets at an average of 8.7. out of all bowlers who bowlers who have old 75 or more overs in the series that's the fifth best average ever and the second best best by a seamer since the first world war 28 wickets at 9.3 over the course of the summer in this series his economy rates 2.04 runs per over the best by an england bowler in a home series since 1990 the best by an england seamer in a home series since 1979 but the rest of england's bowlers went almost 4.03 and over so that's It might be a mild concern for England, the lack of control other than Robinson, although bowling in an attacking manner, and some of that was slightly skewed by yesterday's pyrotechnics from Raza Ola.

Josh Tongue, for example, 19 wickets at an average of 16.3 strike rate of a wicket every 20 balls, but when it just under 5 and over, the highest economy rate by any bowler who's taken 15 or more wickets in a series. So success, but also a lot of runs conceded. In terms of the cricket this summer, quite homogenous for a lot of it. Very little spin. England, old 80 overs of spin and their opponent's 75 overs of spin. It's the least spin there's ever been in an English test summer in which more than one test has been played. So not a huge amount of variety.

Part of that has been the way teams have struggled at the top of the order. This series, Pakistan's second cricket fell at an average of 9.3.3. three for two and England around about 28 for two between them they combined for the worst performance by the opening and second wicket stands in any test series plates and we saw the wicket the wicket falling first ball today as it did in in Pakistan's second innings second innings only the fifth time in test history that a wicket has fallen first ball of the innings twice in the same game of astic two wickets in his first over as did robinson yesterday it's the first time in test history that two bowlers have taken two wickets in their first over of an inning. So we've seen

a lot of sort of curious play. The ball has largely dominated. But there were 2050s in this series without anyone scoring 100 and that is the most 50s ever made in a test series that did not contain a century. So yeah, it's been curious cricket enlivened by yesterday's

marvellous Pakistan resistance. So one day plus one over blip in an otherwise disastrous series for them. I guess it finished in an appropriate manner with errors all over the place of Wicked Offa Noball, Miss Field, mischances and overthrows. Zoltz, thank you very much indeed. Time to put that vast brain of yours in a nice bucket. Today at the test is on BBC 4 and BBC Eye Player highlights on the BBC Sport website and

England do begin a white ball series, yes, a white ball series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday with the first T20 at Southampton and we're on air for that from 615pm. three T-20s and three one-day internationals in that series. We'll have the climax of the county championship season as well, plus finals of the men's and women's one-day cup. And then we will be in Pakistan for England's ODI Tri-Series next month. This is five-life sports. It's all ice for supper.

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