Image Credit: CricInfo.
Venue: Headingley, Leeds [August 19-21, 2026].
Headingley is one of the toughest venues for any visiting side, so much so that the English have not lost a test match here since 2017. Mind you, in 2021, when the Three Lions were at their lowest, they still managed to pull out a win against Mighty Indians on this very ground. So calling Headingley a fortress will not be wrong. The seam conditions, along with bounce and pace, make this a hunting zone for the fast bowlers, and if clouds come in, batting becomes even more challenging. As a result, when Pakistanis came to Leeds for the first test, no one gave them any chance. To make the matters worse, their captain got injured before the test and was subsequently ruled out. Hence, an English win was almost certain.
However, no one knew that the visitors would get blown out like a school team. The Pakistanis (Both Innings Combined) were able to bat for just 85.4 overs as the English pace attack rattled them like anything. The duo of Tongue and Robinson picked up 8 wickets each as the hosts won the first test by an innings and 103 runs. It is pertinent to note that the English did score 409 runs in their first innings, meaning that there were no demons on the pitch. It was indeed a contest between boys and men.
The test match ended in just 3 days as Joe Root managed to secure his first test win as a captain in his second captaincy stint. Headingley thus continues to be a fortress for England, and it is therefore very unfortunate that it will not be hosting an Ashes test next year. It is literally an added advantage to the Australians that they will not be playing in a venue which is literally a graveyard for any visiting side.
To watch the Highlights of this test, click on the URLs below.
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