England make incredible never-before-seen gesture as Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue take five-wicket hauls vs Pakistan

WHAT a start for Joe Root – a wicket with his first ball back as England captain. And the next 439 deliveries in the day weren’t bad, either. Ollie Robinson had the ball cut in half Credit: PA The bowler and Josh Tongue took five wickets each against Pakistan Credit: Getty Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue took five wickets apiece as England seized control of the First Test against Pakistan at Headingley. It was the first time for 20 years that two England bowlers have each snared five victims in the same innings and Robinson and Tongue joyously held the match ball aloft together as they left the field. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! The ball was then taken to the groundsman, who sawed it in half! By the close of day one, Root himself was 37 not out as England reached 112-2 – a deficit of just 59 runs. Root could hardly have asked for more at the beginning of his captaincy reign after winning the toss at his home ground. But he is hardly a novice – this is his 66th Test match in charge. Robinson was the star performer, taking four of Pakistan’s first five wickets – including that first-baller – and finishing with figures of 5-51 from 18 overs of highly-skilled seam bowling. It completed a good few days for Robinson after his wife Mia gave birth last week. Tongue showed his love of detonating lower-order batsmen – they call him ‘The Mop’ because he cleans up the tail – and he went into tea on a hat-trick, which Khurram Shahzad repelled with a rasping cover drive for four. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Robinson showed off his share after the groundsman sawed the ball in half Credit: Getty A third-wicket stand between Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique contributed 91 runs to Pakistan’s total of 171 all out. They lost their final five wickets for 21 runs. Robinson can be infuriating, injury-prone and neglectful of his fitness but nobody has said he can’t bowl. He took 7-77 and was Player of the Match against New Zealand at Lord’s in June. It was his first international for more than two years, but he then missed the next two Tests. So, with Root replacing Ben Stokes at the helm, this was a big examination for the Sussex seamer. Robinson’s response was instant and dramatic as he nailed Pakistan’s left-handed opener Azan Awais lbw with a nipbacker. It was Robinson’s 500th first-class wicket at the absurdly low average of 21. It is the first time in history that a wicket had fallen to the first ball of a Test series in England. And the first time a wicket has fallen to the first ball of a Test in England since Ryan Sidebottom dismissed West Indies opener Daren Ganga at Chester-le-Street in 2007. Robinson made history with his first ball wicket Credit: Reuters Tongue also had plenty to celebrate Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Robinson said: “Josh and I decided it would be cool to split the ball – not many people have a half a ball! “It was great to get a wicket first ball and settle my nerves. And having another baby makes today even sweeter. I was thinking of them the whole time.” Tongue told BBC Test Match Special: “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.” Robinson drilled a challenging line straightaway but England’s three other quick bowlers – Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Tongue – took time to settle. Perhaps they struggled with the transition from the Hundred to Test cricket, from a maximum of 20 balls per match to potentially 20 overs a day. Atkinson and Tongue were playing in the Hundred as recently as Sunday’s final while Robinson did not play in the tournament at all, instead turning out for Sussex in the 50-over cup. Robinson’s second wicket arrived when Shan Masood was plumb lbw before a shower took the players off with Pakistan 23-2. England are in a good position ahead of day two Credit: Alamy Pakistan were dismissed for 171 Credit: Getty Tongue broke the lengthy third-wicket stand when Imam was caught low down by Harry Brook at second slip. It was one of only two Pakistan dismissals that were not lbw or bowled. Saud Shakeel was given out leg before by umpire Allahudien Paleker after much contemplation. Shakeel tried to review but his 15 seconds had expired – and, maddeningly for the batter, DRS showed the ball going over the top. The stylish Shafique was bowled by Robinson through the gate for 61 with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith helping with a tidy job standing up to the stumps. Robinson’s fifth came when Shahzad’s attempted slog landed in long on’s hands while Tongue was scything through Pakistan’s lesser batters with speed and aggression. Not since Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar grabbed five apiece against Pakistan at Old Trafford in 2006 had two England bowlers equally shared all the wickets in a Test innings. Comment now