England bowls first after winning toss against Pakistan at Headingley
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 19, 2026, 9:48 AM
Last updated Aug 19, 2026
England opted to bowl first after winning the toss against Pakistan in the first test at Headingley on August 19. With overcast conditions and a struggling record of two wins from their last ten matches, England seeks to improve under new captain Joe Root, marking the start of the post-Bazball era. Pakistan has also faced challenges, winning just once in their last nine tests and missing captain Babar Azam due to injury. This test is crucial as Pakistan has not won a series in England since 1996.
- •England won the toss and chose to bowl first.
- •Joe Root returns as captain; Marcus Trescothick is interim head coach.
- •Pakistan is led by Salman Agha in absence of Babar Azam.
- •Dan Lawrence returns for England at No. 6 after two years.
- •Cloudy conditions are expected to persist during the match.
- 9:48 AMYahoo Sports — England wins toss and bowls first against Pakistan with Root captain at start of post-Bazball era
"England won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the first test under an overcast sky at Headingley on Wednesday. Both teams have been in underwhelming test form, with England winning just two of its last 10 matches and at the start of a post-Bazball era with captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum no longer involved. Joe Root is back for a second stint as captain, Marcus Trescothick is interim head coach before Stephen Fleming starts full-time in the role in December, and Dan Lawrence — a batter but also a spin option — is in at No. 6 in his first test in two years.
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