In the first day of the Test match in Leeds, Pakistan's innings concluded with a score of only 171 runs. The main heroes of this defeat for England were fast bowlers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue. Both wolves took five wickets, completely dismantling Pakistan's batting.
However, what happened after the end of the day's play turned out to be even more remarkable than their brilliant bowling performance. Robinson and Tongue came up with an unusual way to preserve the memorable ball: they decided to cut it into two pieces and keep half each.
After the close of the day's game, both bowlers left the field with the ball. At that moment, Robinson suggested to Tongue that they split the ball in half. Robinson explained that they were leaving the field, and he proposed splitting it, which Tongue agreed to. They thought it would be very impressive.
He added that keeping half a ball together would become a unique memory. He also noted that getting five wickets in one game for two bowlers is rare, so this would preserve the memory of that special day forever.
In an interview with BBC Test Match Special, Tongue thanked his teammate for the idea. He reported that Robinson suggested cutting the ball, and the stadium staff at Headingley carried it out, giving half to each. Tongue stated that he had never seen anything like it in cricket before and would keep his piece in some memorable place.
So, what did they do with the match ball?
The pair of Robinson and Tongue not only reduced Pakistan to 171 runs but also put their names in the record books of England. This was the sixteenth instance in men's Test cricket when two English bowlers took five wickets in one innings. Previously, this achievement was made by Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar against Pakistan in a test at Old Trafford in 2006.
This Test was also special for Robinson, as he started the game with a triumphant success, taking a wicket from the very first delivery. It had been about 20 years since an English bowler had taken a wicket on the first ball in a Test. Robinson was responsible for eliminating four of Pakistan's top five batsmen. After this, Josh Tongue took responsibility for finishing the lower order innings. Tongue quickly picked up wickets at the end of Pakistan's innings, completing his tally of five wickets.
Thanks to this magnificent performance, Joe Root's second innings, captaining England, also started at a great pace.
An emotional reason for such a performance for Robinson was also a personal event. Last week, he became a father to a second child. His daughter Eva was born last Thursday around 2 am. Robinson recounted that after arriving at the hotel, he tried to sleep. He noted that the arrival of a second child made it a very special week, and playing for England away from family at that time made the day even more significant for him.
He emphasized that although his family was not on the field, they were always in his thoughts.
This was Robinson's second brilliant return this summer. Returning after more than two years away from the team at Lord's, he took three wickets in his very first over. Then, he missed the second Test against New Zealand due to injury. Despite recovering, he was not included in the squad for the third Test. This period was disappointing for him, but he used it to work on his physical fitness and bowling skills.
Robinson said that not playing in the Oval Test was frustrating, as he was absent due to a strange injury during training. After that, he was available in Trent Bridge, but the selectors did not include him in the team. He noted: 'It's part of professional sport. I was ready to play, but I wasn't selected. After that, I worked hard on my physical fitness and skills, and it feels good when hard work pays off.'
Robinson reported that for the last five or six weeks, he has been actively working on his physical fitness with the England medical team. He believes he has made good progress, although the work is not finished. His next goal is to maintain consistent physical fitness and regularly influence England's game.
Robinson also admitted that due to the long break from red-ball cricket, his rhythm is not yet what he would like. In his opinion, the more he plays, the better his rhythm gets. Now his goal is clear.