England in better place than start of summer - Root

Captain Joe Root said England are in a better place at the end of their tumultuous summer than at the start after he helped seal a 3-0 series win over Pakistan.

Root hit 62 not out and Jordan Cox ended unbeaten on 59 as England survived a scare to beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third Test at Edgbaston.

It provided a successful end to a summer that has included the shock retirement of captain Ben Stokes, the sacking of Test coach Brendon McCullum and various off-field issues.

"In chaos you learn a lot about the group of players you have," Root said.

"For us to have come through this series in the manner we have done, the way we've gone about our cricket, and gone about things has been really pleasing."

Root first regained the captaincy for the second Test against New Zealand in June after Stokes - who had been backed to remain in post alongside McCullum after last winter's Ashes defeat by Australia - was left out after breaking a team curfew.

After Stokes retired following the series defeat by New Zealand a Test later, McCullum was sacked and Root given the captaincy on a full-time basis for a second time.

Amid changes in personnel given the absence of Stokes, Root, who was Test captain from 2017 to 2022, has brought a calming presence to the role.