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England Bowlers Split Match Ball: Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue found a rather creative way to commemorate an extraordinary opening day at Headingley after both England pacers claimed five-wicket hauls against Pakistan. With the pair responsible for all 10 Pakistan wickets, Robinson and Tongue decided that simply taking the match ball home would not be enough. Instead, they had the ball cut into two pieces so each could keep half as a personal memento. 

Robinson, Tongue Share 5-Wicket Haul

Josh Tongue, while speaking to BBC Sport, was asked who got to keep the match-ball, and he revealed that it had been split in half for him and Ollie Robinson by the ground staff.

"Well, Robbo (Ollie Robinson), had it to start with and then he was like, we're going to split it in half. So, I think the groundsman has actually kindly split the ball in half,"

Two bowlers from the same team taking five wickets each in one innings is a rare occurrence, making the divided ball an equally rare keepsake.

"I'm sure we'll be able to get that mounted somewhere at home," Tongue added.

England’s New-Ball Attack Tears Through Pakistan

The match could hardly have started better for England after Ben Stokes' side chose to bowl first at Headingley.

Robinson needed only one delivery to make an impact. The England seamer removed Pakistan opener Azan Awais for a golden duck with the very first ball of the innings.

That early breakthrough set the tone for a difficult innings for Pakistan.

Tongue subsequently joined Robinson in the attack, and the two fast bowlers continued to pick apart the Pakistan batting order.

By the end of the innings, the duo had accounted for every Pakistan wicket, finishing with five dismissals each.