The China Mail - England v Pakistan Test series: Three talking points

Captain Joe Root led from the front on Saturday as England shrugged off the loss of two early wickets to win by eight wickets, following decisive victories at Headingley and Lord's.

AFP Sport looks at three talking points after the end of a one-sided series.

New Root era

English cricket was at a low ebb just two months ago following a series loss to New Zealand and the exits of head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.

Joe Root was placed in charge again despite a modest record in his first spell, partly due to a lack of strong alternatives.

The Yorkshireman, England's record Test runscorer, said he did not want to "rip up" the Bazball blueprint of ultra-attacking cricket played under McCullum and Stokes as he plotted how to turn the side's fortunes around.

In truth, the skipper has had a gentle reintroduction to the job against a weak Pakistan team that have now lost 16 of their past 21 Tests.

Root was often criticised for his tactics in his first spell as captain and questions were raised over his handling of the situation as Razaullah cut loose with the bat on Friday.

Tougher tests lie ahead, beginning with a three-Test series against South Africa in December and January, but the captain at least has a platform to build on.

Batting strength

England, boosted by a powerful seam attack, have scored enough runs to see off weak opponents, but they will need their batsmen to step up in tougher tests ahead.

The home team scored a total of 14 fifties in the three-match series but not one of those was converted into a century.

Former England captain Alastair Cook said the lack of big scores was a concern.

"The lack of hundreds and whether that's down to the conditions they're facing and the fact that the ball is staying hard throughout the 80 overs the majority of the time," he said.

"I think it's just a little thing in that dressing room when you get into fifties because it's like a habit to all of them.

"So it gets broken by two people scoring hundreds and everyone reacts, but the minute until someone does it, it is a concern."

England's pace attack has drawn favourable comparisons with the "Fab Four" who wrested back the Ashes in 2005.

But Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson will know conditions will not always be so favourable.

Pakistan chaos

Pakistan are in desperate need of a reset after three heavy defeats left them rock bottom of the World Test Championship.

Wholesale changes to the playing and coaching staff after the second Test at Lord's were deeply disruptive, even though the tourists showed some fight in Birmingham.

Captain Babar Azam admitted his team would have to take stock after a miserable series.

"We need to sit down and look hard at our mistakes, decide our playing XI," he said.

Debutant Razaullah showed there is abundant raw talent in Pakistan, taking four wickets and scoring an audacious 81 off 63 balls, but that talent has to be nurtured and channelled.

"Clear thinking, a process, and a plan that lasts for longer than the next weekend coming (is needed for Pakistan)," former England batsman Mark Butcher told Sky Sports.

He added: "Until things are better at the top of the game, in terms of that decision-making, then the players are always going to be hung out to dry.

"It was only because of Razaullah and his play yesterday that there was anything to smile about for Pakistan at all."

E.Lau--ThChM