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England Retains Tongue and Duckett for Edgbaston Test

England cricket players celebrating a wicket on field
Cricket

England will go unchanged to Edgbaston as they hunt a ruthless 3–0 sweep over Pakistan and close out their 2026 home Test summer with a statement.

Josh Tongue and Ben Duckett, two of the standout stories of the series, have both retained their spots in a 15-man squad that has already overpowered Pakistan at Headingley and Lord’s.

The message from the selectors is clear: same again.

Tongue Leads a Relentless Attack

Tongue has forced his way from squad option to spearhead in the space of two Tests. Thirteen wickets at 12.46 tell their own story, but the numbers only hint at the control and hostility he has brought to an England attack that has barely loosened its grip all series.

His 5 for 46 in Leeds broke Pakistan’s resistance and underlined why he is suddenly central to England’s plans, not just a supporting act. At Edgbaston, with the crowd tight on the field and the ball often talking, he will take the new ball knowing Pakistan have yet to find an answer.

Duckett–Gay Axis Stays at the Top

At the other end of the order, Duckett keeps his place at the top, again partnered by Emilio Gay. The pair will walk out together once more, asked to set the tone for a side that has twice outgunned Pakistan and now wants to finish with a flourish.

England’s batting has looked stable enough for the selectors to resist any temptation to tinker. No late experiments, no sentimental caps. Just the same group that crushed Pakistan by 194 runs at Lord’s last week.

Unchanged Squad for Edgbaston Finale

Joe Root leads an unchanged 15-strong squad for the third Rothesay Test, which starts on Wednesday 9 September at Edgbaston and doubles as the final act of England’s 2026 home programme.

England Men v Pakistan – Third Rothesay Test, Edgbaston (9–13 September)

  • 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)

Series won, momentum with them, and a familiar XI ready to go again. Now the question is whether Pakistan can disrupt the script, or whether Edgbaston simply becomes the stage for England’s perfect summer finish.

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