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England v Pakistan, 2nd Test Day One: Five Things We Learned

England v Pakistan, 2nd Test Day One: Five Things We Learned

England dominate the opening exchanges at Old Trafford against Pakistan. Here’s what we learned…

MAN OF THE DAY - JOE ROOT (141*)

The problems between 50 to 100 have weighed on Root’s mind. And it was a problem. Not for mere mortals, but for someone as capable as Root, the unconverted hundreds rank as failure for the jewel in England’s card. Considering the emphasis placed on his wicket, his shots in the Lord’s Test - especially the tame hook in the second innings - was a woeful demise. There was no such error today, no notable lapse in concentration or stroke play. An opening on drive set a tone that never fluctuated. The key was against Yasir Shah after the leg spinner cut off his single options in the first Test. Today, Root ran him ragged. Century number number 10 - a first at number three - And a fine one it was too. There is no reason why he can’t double up tomorrow.

COOK CHUGS ON

Chug might be a bit harsh. He raced to his half-century and then continued to outscore Root. His hundred came off 157 balls, in which he worked smartly against all bowlers, especially Shah, whom he milked relentlessly. In nine overs worth of deliveries faced, he scored 39 runs, ensuring Shah could not beuild up a head of steam as each ball off length was punished to the boundary and everything else treated with respect. What was on show here, for Cook’s 29th Test hundred, was his unerring ability to treat everything on merit. As cricket writer Ed Kemp put it: he is a great example of how the very best switch instantly from humble when blocking good deliveries, to domineering when dismissing the bad ones.

UNCONVINCED

Edge behind one, shame on the dropper. Do it twice in your innings, well, that might be your lot. In what was the most important knock of James Vince’s career, he flushed a second chance down the drain. Similarly to his second innings at Lord’s, he had a reprieve early but then he went on to his highest Test score. With Root at the other end, he could have taken the smart move and worked around the settled batsman, packed away the drive that had got him into trouble, and played sensibly till he had the measure of the conditions, which were far from taxing. Instead, he couldn’t help himself. Without being too harsh, it was an act of stupidity and something that, at this level, is not acceptable.

THE BEST OF A BAD IDEA

We’ve discussed it before – the nightwatchman is an utter nonsense. If a batsman is picked to bat, he should do just that, regardless of what time of day it is. And often, it is a bowler with a blocking game that sees out the night and emerges in the morning, fumbling around like a mole trying to put in contact lenses. But at least – at the very least – England have gone with a player in Chris Woakes who not only has a solid game but can bat as a top six: he does, after all, average 37.09 and have nine centuries in first class cricket. England do not seem like binning the idea any time soon but at least in Woakes they have someone who can satisfy both sides of the deal.

WHAT NEXT

England, if they play their cards right, will not need to bat again. There is no reason why, with their line-up – Jonny Bairstow is batting at number eight! – they should not be hammering Pakistan further into the dust. Even at the end of day two, they looked weary and, in pursuit of 20 wickets, a sub-follow on first go from Pakistan would be just the treat. That relies on key hands from Woakes and Bairstow, while the likes of Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali should enjoy the chance to play their natural games.