Root 254 hands England total control

Pakistan 57 for 4 (Masood 30*, Misbah 1*, Woakes 3-18) trail England 589 for 8 dec (Root 264, Cook 105) by 532 runsScorecard and ball-by-ball details

Old Trafford 2016 was the occasion on which Joe Root, England cricket’s cheeky chappie, reacquainted himself with the more enduring fulfilment of Test cricket. Having put his Test summer back on course on the opening day of the second Investec Test, he completed the journey on the second to lead England to what is surely an impregnable first-innings score against Pakistan.

For ten-and-a-quarter hours, Root not only conquered the Pakistan attack that had overcome England at Lord’s, but also explored something meaningful about himself. Impeccable on the first day and indefatigable on the second, the batsman who turned his place at No 4 into a crusade for batting freedom indicated that he can lay claim to the mantle of greatness at No 3.

Pakistan needed a solid response in the 24 overs before the close. Instead, wearied by 152.2 overs in the field, they had a nightmarish time courtesy of three wickets for Chris Woakes, who is making such an impact on the series that more flamboyant figures would by now be hailed as rising heroes and about to launch a range of clothing on the back of it; even he must find it all quite agreeable in an understated sort of way.

For 12 overs, Pakistan proceeded calmly enough, but Woakes had Mohammad Hafeez loosely caught at second slip with his sixth delivery – and added a return catch in his fourth over when Azhar Ali’s lopsided push suggested he was suffering from subsidence.

Pakistan’s unhappy day was complete when Younis Khan produced a characteristic leaping fend at a short, leg-side delivery from Ben Stokes to be caught at the wicket before the nightwatchman Rahat Ali proved ill-equipped for the task, giving Woakes a third wicket as an agitated response to a bouncer ended up at short leg. Shan Masood batted through for 30 not out, but even he had one or two hairy moments.

Woakes now has a Test batting average markedly higher than his Test bowling average which is always a good look for an allrounder. There is no bombast about him, but England’s cricketing public is finally beginning to appreciate his talents.

But the day again largely …

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