Robinson and Tongue split match ball after taking 10 wickets on Day 1 at Headingley

Ollie Robinson (Pic: X/@thervd)

England fast bowlers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue created a unique piece of cricket history on the opening day of the Leeds Test against Pakistan. After each taking five wickets, the pair arranged for the official match ball to be cleanly sliced in half so both could keep a piece as a memento.

According to the ICC website, this marked the first time since 2006 that two England bowlers claimed five-wicket hauls in the identical Test innings.

Explaining how the decision came about, Robinson shared details of their conversation as they left the field:

"We were walking off and I was like, to Tonguey, I think we should split it. He said it and I said, I think we should do that; it'd be quite cool. It's one of those things, you don't have too many half-of-cricket-balls, so it would be something we never forget. It's not very often two guys get five-for in the same innings, so a nice gesture and something to remember," the ICC website quoted Robinson as saying.

England pace attack dominates opening day at Leeds

The gesture capped a dominant performance by the hosts, who bowled Pakistan out for 171 before navigating their way to 112/2 by stumps on Day 1.

After electing to field first at Headingley, England struck immediately when Robinson dismissed opener Azan Awais for a golden duck on the match's opening delivery. Robinson soon trapped Pakistan captain Shan Masood leg-before for 5, reducing the visitors to 6/2.

A 91-run third-wicket partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq provided temporary stability until Tongue ended the stand by removing Imam for 42. Robinson then returned to dismiss Saud Shakeel (5) and Shafique (61), while Tongue ran through the lower order, dismissing Salman Agha (21), Ali Usman for a golden duck, and Mohammad Rizwan (12).

Pakistan were dismissed for 171 in 48.1 overs, with Robinson recording figures of 5/51 and Tongue securing 5/46.

In reply, England openers Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay posted a 36-run opening stand before Pakistan struck back to reduce the hosts to 48/2. However, Joe Root (37') and Jordan Cox (23') compiled an unbroken 64-run partnership to put England in firm control by the close of play.