'Joe Root had three really good days as captain' - Nasser Hussain lauds England legend after lopsided Leeds Test

England completed a dominant three-day victory over Pakistan at Headingley, winning by an innings and 103 runs in the first Test of the series that began on Wednesday, August 19. Joe Root returned to England Test captaincy for this match following Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket in June. Root, now 35, brings the experience of 64 previous Tests as England skipper, having captained the team from 2017 to 2022 before stepping down.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain offered his assessment of Root's performance across the three days of the match. Hussain stated that Root demonstrated strong leadership throughout the contest, noting the captain's approach and demeanour during England's commanding display.

"The biggest thing [about this Test match] was Joe Root. If you had just come down and seen Joe this week, these three days, albeit against a poor Pakistan side, you will say he had a really good three days as captain," Hussain was quoted as saying after the match by Sky Sports.

Root's captaincy approach and demeanour

Root's captaincy approach differed markedly from his predecessor's style. Hussain observed that Root brought his own personality to the role rather than attempting to replicate Ben Stokes' methods.

"It was never I am trying to be Stokes. It was just Joe Root being Joe. He had a smile on his face," Hussain said.

Root's batting contribution during the match was also significant. He scored 66 off 112 balls with 10 fours in England's first innings, which totalled 409. During the match, Root reached another milestone in his Test career, becoming the first captain to cross 3,000 runs in the World Test Championship. He also tied with Sachin Tendulkar for the most fifties in Tests with 68 each.

England's bowling dominance and tactical balance

England's bowling attack proved decisive in the contest. Josh Tongue took 5 for 46 and Ollie Robinson took 5 for 51 in Pakistan's first innings of 171 all out. Ollie Robinson was named Player of the Match after claiming eight wickets across both innings. Pakistan's second innings collapsed to 135 all out, allowing England to seal victory inside three days.

Hussain highlighted Root's tactical decisions, particularly the team balance and selection strategy. The former captain explained that Root's choices in the field, combined with his batting and overall captaincy, had worked effectively.

"The decision with the balance of the side [worked out], electing not to have a frontline spinner. I know some of that was enforced because of no Ben Stokes - and we will come on to that - but it was also the toss decision, and then the way he batted, and then the way he captained in the field," Hussain said.

Maturity and evolution in England's approach

Hussain also noted a shift in England's approach and maturity following the change in leadership. The former skipper observed that the Three Lions had reflected on its methods and was integrating the best elements of previous philosophies.

"I thought there was a maturity about their performance here on and off the field as well. Just listening to Harry Brook and the interview he gave me this morning, you just sensed some more mature answers - saying, 'we have had a look at ourselves,'" Hussain said.

"I thought they got the tempo of batting right, albeit because they were given a full ball every over. So I sense there is a bit more of a maturity to their performance," he concluded.

Also Read: Stuart Broad hails Josh Tongue as England's best and most valuable bowler after Headingley heroics

The series continues with the Second Test scheduled for August 27 to 31, 2026 at Lord's in London, followed by the Third Test from September 9 to 13, 2026 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.