Pakistan vs England Test: Brook maintains stranglehold over Pakistan for dominant England

Pakistan vs England Test: Brook maintains stranglehold over Pakistan for dominant England Brook cashed in on ‌some indisciplined bowling from a lightweight seam attack to create 91 from 93 balls as England opened a 195-run lead with two first ⁠innings wickets still standing.

Key points

• Root created 66 – his 109th test innings of 50 or more – and Cox ‌73 – the first of his career – in a stand of 150 for the third wicket.
• Brook shared a ‌fifth-wicket partnership of 120 with the recalled Dan Lawrence who created 51 from ‌79 ⁠balls.
• England's Harry Brook extended his remarkable record against Pakistan to put the hosts into a commanding position on the second day of the first test at Headingley.
• The pair created the most of the base laid earlier by Joe Root and Jordan Cox.
• It took the Yorkshireman's average in his 12 test appearances against Pakistan above 85.

England's Harry Brook celebrates after reaching his half century. Photo Credit: Reuters.

Brook cashed in on ‌some indisciplined bowling from a lightweight seam attack to create 91 from 93 balls as England opened a 195-run lead with two first ⁠innings wickets still standing.

Dropped on one at second slip by Salman Ali Agha off Khurram Shahzad, Brook illuminated a grey, ‌rain-shortened day for his home crowd with an innings containing 13 fours before falling to spinner Ali Usman who finished with 5-92.

Lawrence, back after two years in the wilderness, filled the boots of ⁠Ben Stokes after his retirement in positive fashion, before top-edging a sweep off Usman.

For context, the pair created the most of the base laid earlier by Joe Root and Jordan Cox.

It was a surprise when Root played throughout a straight ball from Khurram Shahzad to be trapped lbw, four balls after Cox departed after misjudging the length ‌of a full ball from Usman to be caught behind.

Cox, given his chance at No 3 by Jacob Bethell's knee injury, hit Khurram for seven fours in the space of 12 balls on the way ⁠to a maiden test half-century.

England, who were supported by some poor ground fielding from Pakistan, closed on 366-8 after Usman dismissed Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson with successive balls in ‌the 80th over.

Even though England now have caretaker coach Marcus Trescothick in charge after the exit of Brendon McCullum from the red ball side, the run rate was up with there with the Bazball era.

"Headingley is one of quickest-scoring grounds in the country and Tres has been really good with us, " remarked Cox.

He has informed everyone: 'bat your way, bat how you want to and enjoy it' and that's what we've done.

"Hopefully the ‌boys can get 50 runs tomorrow – we've still got Jamie Smith and Jofra Archer in there who can give it a good whack – and then get to our work."

Pakistan, who last won a test in England eight years ago, are ⁠in a tight corner. With better weather forecast for the remaining three days, they look unlikely ⁠to receive much assistance from the elements in their efforts to obtain out of it.

"England have the upper hand but we will try to score ‌as many runs as we can second innings, " remarked Usman.

"We have to obtain the two wickets as shortly as feasible and then try to score runs as a batting unit. Hopefully our batters can create a comeback and save the test match."

In short, pakistan vs England Test: Brook maintains stranglehold over Pakistan for dominant England is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.