Root’s re-elevation to the pivotal position began at Lord’s against Pakistan, and then paid rich dividend for him and England with 325 runs in the landslide series-levelling win at Old Trafford.
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Root’s Test-best 254 was the cornerstone of England’s imposing first innings 589 for eight declared and he then added a quickfire 71 not out for good measure.
It works for Root, and therefore England as well.
“We’ve spoken about it, just letting a few more balls go and let the bowlers come to him before he plays his favourite shot”.
“One thing he does very well is keep the scoreboard ticking over, so blockers like me get carried away”, he added.
As for Stokes, England can only hope for the best.
Cook was quickly into his stride, driving his first ball of the morning from Rahat Ali for four to notch his fastest Test 50 off 55 balls – the 50th half-century of his career on the occasion of his 50th Test as England captain.
Scans on Tuesday afternoon were thought likely to confirm the injury-enforced absence of Stokes, prominent among four all-rounders who balance the team so effectively.
In the meantime, Cook was delighted by the way England had upped their game after being well below their best at Lord’s. But we’ve never put a quantity on it – never said “five Tests, six Tests, seven Tests”, or whatever it might be.
“We didn’t do that at Lord’s”.
For Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq, this was a chastening defeat. “To get 198 and 234 on a good pitch – you can’t take that”.
Meanwhile, Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who bagged ten wickets for 141 in the opening Test at Lord’s, managed figures of mere one for 266 at Old Trafford.
“I don’t see there’s any reason to panic just at the moment”, said the Australian”.
“It was a big difference. But he is a strong character, and before the next Test he will analyse what went wrong – and come back”.
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The 42-year-old observed that although Pakistan’s top-order batsmen are getting a good start, they are failing to capitalize it into bigger innings, the area which requires a room for improvement according to Misbah.
