ENGLAND moved relentlessly towards a series-levelling victory over Pakistan on a rain-disrupted third day of the second Test in Manchester yesterday.
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England, trailing 1-0 in the series after defeat at Lord’s, had not enforced the follow-on and Cook and Root quickly piled on the runs in the morning session, the captain making 76 not out and Root finishing unbeaten on 71.
The England and Wales Cricket Board said that Stokes’ fitness will be reviewed by the medical team next week.
Steven Finn is in contention for a quick return to the England team after Ben Stokes was ruled out of next week’s third Investec Test at Edgbaston because of a torn right calf.
Describing batsman Joe Root as a “world-class player”, England skipper Alastair Cook has admitted that batting with the former had encouraged a “blocker like him” to go for the shots in their crushing second Test victory over Pakistan at Old Trafford on Monday.
After removing his bunny Shan Masood for the sixth time in three Test matches for just one, the Lancashire seamer then trapped Azhar Ali LBW just before the lunch break, to leave the visitors in a perilous position at 47/2.
Pakistan struggled to contain England’s batsmen in the first innings and under the pressure of conceding 589 runs they wilted to be bowled out for just 198.
Selectors declined to name a replacement in the squad for the third Test, sticking with the remaining 13 who were picked for Old Trafford. “He bats, bowls and he’s a leader in the field so it is a bit of a hole, but someone like Chris Woakes has done brilliantly so far this season so we are lucky in that aspect”.
Pakistan never really stood a chance of batting out almost two full days for a draw, especially after James Anderson took two early wickets before lunch.
It was then left to Woakes to claim the final wicket, with the 26-run partnership finally broken when Mohammad Amir slapped the ball straight to Stuart Broad as England levelled the series at 1-1 with two to play.
Arthur added: “It probably gives us a bit better chance but. irrespective of when Alastair chose to declare, we’re still going to have to bat damned well”.
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And when Sarfraz Ahmed fell soon after the break to Woakes, England had little problems in polishing off the long Pakistan tail.
