In the third Rothesay Test at Edgbaston, England showcased their bowling prowess, dismissing Pakistan for just 133 runs and taking a 23-run lead with a score of 156-4 by the end of the first day.

Pakistan's batting woes continued, as they failed to reach 200 for the fifth consecutive innings. The top order crumbled once again, with only Saud Shakeel managing a respectable 43. The last-wicket partnership of Muhammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali provided some resistance, adding 26 runs together, marking the best partnership of the innings.

England's bowlers excelled, with Josh Tongue leading the attack with figures of 4-42, while Ollie Robinson took 3-15, surpassing 100 Test wickets, and Jofra Archer claimed three scalps as well.

Despite the initial struggle, England's Emilio Gay and Harry Brook steadied the innings with a crucial partnership of 104 runs. Gay scored a gritty 60 before being dismissed by debutant Razaullah, while Brook remained unbeaten on 52 as the day concluded.

The test's atmosphere was subdued, with only around half of the 15,000 tickets sold being occupied. Pakistan made four changes to their lineup, including three debutants, but England's consistency shone through. The match is poised for a quick conclusion, with England looking to secure a 3-0 clean sweep in the series.

As England's captain Joe Root reflects on the performance, questions linger about the future of players like Gay, especially with competition increasing in the batting lineup. The day's play highlighted the stark contrast between the two sides, indicating that England is in a strong position to dominate the series.