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England Level The Series In Style

Selectors have recalled seamers Jake Ball and Steven Finn alongside leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the 13-man squad for the third test, starting at Edgbaston from August 3.

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England made 589-8 declared and 173-1 declared to set up their second biggest win over Pakistan in terms of runs.

England must get by without Ben Stokes for the pivotal Edgbaston Test – and may face a make-or-break decision next week on the key all-rounder’s fitness for the remainder of the summer.

Injury to Stokes could re-open the door to Steven Finn or Jake Ball, who were both dropped after the first Test at Lord’s, or fellow seamer Mark Wood after he impressed for the England Lions having undergone ankle surgery in April.

England’s Moeen Ali (C) celebrates with team mates after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Younis Khan for 28 runs on the fourth day of the second test cricket match between England and Pakistan at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester, northwest England, on July 25, 2016.

After England wrapped up a 330-run win by dismissing Pakistan for 234 runs in the final innings, skipper Alastair Cook revealed that it will be a risk to rush Stokes back to action for the third game.

England’s dominant performance at Old Trafford was based around a century from Alastair Cook and Joe Root’s career-best 254 at No. 3, but, despite the margin of victory, some issues remain.

“We were hoping to bowl them out a lot quicker and then they’d be fresh to take the new ball when we enforced”.

Root was moved up the order after the series with Sri Lanka but only managed 57 in the first Test, which Pakistan won by 75 runs. I tried to cut that out of my game.

Cook had the opportunity to put Pakistan back in again once England bowled the tourists out for just 198.

“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. It’s the most controlled I’ve played”.

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“This is a big disappointment for us”, said Misbah. “These guys are strong characters though, mentally strong, and I’m hopeful that everybody is hurt and they will really work hard”.

We now have a chance, says Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur