Five wickets each, half a ball each: Robinson, Tongue split match ball after Pak rout

The unusual souvenir came after England's bowlers dismissed Pakistan for 171 on the opening day of the first Test. "The groundstaff have kindly done that."

Robinson later showed his half of the ball to reporters and explained that the idea came as the two bowlers walked off the field after Pakistan were bowled out. The split ball followed an excellent day for England's pace attack.

What Happened

Robinson struck with the first delivery of the Test to remove Azan Awais and soon added Shan Masood, while Tongue later worked through Pakistan's middle and lower order. The five-wicket haul was Robinson's fifth in Test cricket and continued an encouraging return.

• Robinson finished with 5/51 and Tongue took 5/46, becoming the first pair of England bowlers to claim five-wicket hauls in the same Test innings since Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar against Pakistan at Old.

• He said the family milestone made the five-wicket haul particularly meaningful.

• The performance also came during a significant week for Robinson, who recently welcomed his daughter Eva with his wife Mia.

Key Details

"I'm probably not in as good a rhythm as I would like."

• Robinson also spoke about the importance of staying fit after a period in which his availability had been questioned.

• He now has 88 Test wickets at an average of 21.25.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge