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Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue came up with a unique way to share the spoils after producing outstanding five-wicket hauls on the opening day of England’s first Test against Pakistan at Headingley.
Both English pacers claimed five wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for just 171, giving the hosts complete control of the first day. Their remarkable performances also led to an unusual souvenir, with the match ball being cut in half so Robinson and Tongue could each take a piece home.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue create unusual cricket souvenir
The idea reportedly came from Robinson after the pair completed their five-wicket hauls. Rather than one bowler keeping the ball, the England quicks decided to share it. England team manager Wayne Bentley took the ball to the groundstaff, who carefully cut it into two pieces. The unusual job was completed within around five minutes before both bowlers were handed their own half.
Speaking to Test Match Special, Tongue revealed how the idea came about. The England pacer admitted that he had never witnessed anything similar before and was already thinking about where he would display his half of the historic match ball.
“Robbo said we can split the ball in half. The groundstaff have kindly done that. It’s the first time I’ve seen that happen. I’m sure I’ll be putting that up somewhere,” Tongue said.
Here’s the video:
So, what did they do with the match ball? 🤔
A simple solution to a unique problem!
Click below for the full interview:
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 19, 2026
England pacers rip through Pakistan
The split ball was an appropriate memento after Robinson and Tongue produced one of England’s most impressive bowling displays in recent times. Robinson made an immediate impact, striking with the very first delivery of the Test to dismiss Azan Awais. He then added Pakistan captain Shan Masood to underline England’s early dominance.
Tongue took over later in the innings, attacking Pakistan’s middle and lower order and preventing the visitors from recovering. Pakistan collapsed dramatically, losing their final eight wickets for only 74 runs. Robinson finished with excellent figures of 5/51, while Tongue returned 5/46. The duo became the first pair of England bowlers to take five-wicket hauls in the same Test innings since Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar achieved the feat against Pakistan at Old Trafford in 2006. Their performance also made them only the second England pair in two decades to collect five wickets apiece in the same Test innings.
Joe Root’s return off to a strong start
The bowling effort provided Joe Root with an ideal beginning to his second spell as England’s Test captain. Pakistan’s total of 171 initially looked modest, but England lost Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay during their reply. Root, however, remained composed alongside Jordan Cox as the pair helped the hosts recover. England reached 112/2 by the close of play, leaving them just 59 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings total. With Root firmly settled at the crease and England having already removed Pakistan cheaply, the hosts finished the opening day in a commanding position.
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