India, Aug. 18 -- Two teams desperate for success meet when England and Pakistan begin a three-test series on Wednesday in Leeds. Neither has won a series of two tests or more in almost two years. England's last such triumph was in December 2024 in New Zealand. Pakistan's last was in October that same year at home against England. Since then there's been mainly suffering.

England's Ashes series in Australia unravelled in less than 11 days. England was blown away as coach Brendon McCullum overestimated and underprepared his side, and captain Ben Stokes lost faith in Bazball.

England had a chance to wipe the slate clean but McCullum and Stokes stayed. In June, Stokes over-celebrated a win against New Zealand achieved on a trashy Lord's pi...