England Stick with Tongue and Duckett for Final Test Against Pakistan
England have named an unchanged squad for the final Rothesay Test of the summer, backing the same group that has already overpowered Pakistan at Headingley and Lord’s.
With the series wrapped up 2–0 and momentum entirely theirs, England now head to Edgbaston eyeing something more ruthless: a clean sweep to close out their 2026 home programme.
Tongue leads the charge
No one has ridden this series quite like Josh Tongue. The seamer has ripped through Pakistan’s batting with a blend of hostility and precision, taking 13 wickets at a remarkable average of 12.46. His standout spell came in Leeds, where figures of 5–46 underlined why he has become central to England’s attack in a matter of weeks.
That kind of form leaves selectors with no decisions to agonise over. Tongue stays, and he stays as a spearhead.
Around him, an increasingly settled bowling unit has smothered Pakistan. The message is clear: same bowlers, same plans, finish the job.
Duckett–Gay opening axis holds
At the top of the order, Ben Duckett retains his place and his partnership with Emilio Gay. England will again trust the left-handed pair to set the tempo, just as they did in the 194-run win at Lord’s.
No reshuffles. No late auditions. With the series already secure, England could have experimented. Instead, they have chosen continuity, a nod to both performance and the desire to bank winning habits before the winter.
Root’s group unchanged
Joe Root leads an unchanged 15-strong squad into Birmingham, with depth in both batting and bowling and a clear sense of hierarchy after two commanding victories over the Men in Green.
England Men v Pakistan
Third Rothesay Test, Edgbaston, 9–13 September
England squad:
- Joe Root (Yorkshire, captain)
- Jofra Archer (Sussex)
- Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
- Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
- Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire)
- Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
- Sam Cook (Essex)
- Jordan Cox (Essex)
- Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
- Emilio Gay (Durham)
- Dan Lawrence (Surrey)
- Ollie Pope (Surrey)
- Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
- Jamie Smith (Surrey)
Two wins banked, one more on offer. Edgbaston now waits to see whether this refreshed England side simply finish the series, or make a statement that echoes well beyond the summer.
