A new era starts for England following Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's departure, but Racing Post's Joe Casey expects more of the same as Harry Brook looks set to continue his impressive record against Pakistan in this first Test at Headingley.
Joe Root has returned as England captain following Ben Stokes' departure and while Stephen Fleming has been appointed as the new head coach, he will not take over until December, meaning that Marcus Trescothick will be interim boss for this series against Pakistan.
England v Pakistan First Test Tips Summary
Best Bet - Harry Brook top match batter @ 9/2
Alternative Bet - Emilio Gay under 61.5 match runs @ 5/6
Bet Builder - England to win, Mohammad Abbas top Pakistan first-innings bowler & Jofra Archer to take three or more match wickets @ 9/2
England v Pakistan First Test Prediction
Best Bet - Harry Brook top match batter @ 9/2
England vice-captain Harry Brook was a big runner for the captaincy but missing out to Root could be a bonus for the 27-year-old's batting success.
Unburdened by the pressure of the top job, expect Brook to continue his remarkable record against Pakistan in this first Test. The Yorkshireman has four centuries and averages 84.10 against these opponents from 10 innings and looks a solid bet to be the match's top runscorer.
Brook had a solid campaign in The Hundred, making 206 runs in eight games for Sunrisers Leeds, and will be back playing at his home ground in this Test, so take him to star once more.
Alternative Bet - Emilio Gay under 61.5 match runs @ 5/6
Emilio Gay had a solid start to life as an England opener, but he has found things tough recently.
The Durham left-hander made scores of 0 and 10 in the final Test against New Zealand and has struggled badly for form since then. He made a pair in a warm-up game against Pakistan last week and now has seven scores of 10 or fewer from his last nine innings.
He may well go under the line of 61 match runs in this one.
England v Pakistan First Test Bet Builder Tip
England to win
Mohammad Abbas top Pakistan first innings bowler
Jofra Archer to take three or more match wickets
Pays 9/2
Despite the tumult off the pitch, England should have enough to get the better of a Pakistan side that has struggled badly in recent years, losing eight of its last nine Test matches on the road.
However, bowler Mohammad Abbas has plenty of County Championship experience and took eight wickets against the West Indies in his last game, so he is fancied to be Pakistan's top first innings bowler.
Jofra Archer should be fresh for this game and Pakistan's many left-handers should struggle against him. Archer can take three or more wickets.
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Key Match Stats
England have won their last six Tests at Headingley.
Pakistan have won just one of their last 10 Tests at this venue.
The last time either team won a series of two Tests or more was December 2024.
Harry Brook averages 84.10 against Pakistan.
Pakistan have lost eight of their last nine away Test matches.
Tactics, Form and Team News
England may turn to Dan Lawrence's part-time spin to fill the gap left by Ben Stokes' departure, opening the door for them to play four seamers.
Jordan Cox will fill in at number three for the injured Jacob Bethell while Brydon Carse may have to settle for a spot running on the drinks after returning from a wrist injury.
England expected XI: 1 Ben Duckett, 2 Emilio Gay, 3 Jordan Cox, 4 Joe Root (C), 5 Harry Brook, 6 Dan Lawrence, 7 Jamie Smith (WK), 8 Gus Atkinson, 9 Ollie Robinson, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Josh Tongue.
Pakistan are sweating on the fitness of captain and talisman Babar Azam, who suffered a finger injury in their warm-up game.
However, Shan Masood is expected to be fit after recovering from a finger injury of his own.
Pakistan expected XI: 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Azan Awais, 3 Abdullah Shafique, 4 Babar Azam (C), 5 Shan Masood, 6 Salman Ali Agha, 7 Mohammad Rizwan (WK), 8 Aamir Jamal, 9 Sajid, 10 Mohammad Abbas, 11 Mohammad Ali.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
