Root masterclass helps England seize control

MANCHESTER: Joe Root’s masterful 254 and three early wickets for Chris Woakes put England in a commanding position on the second day of the second test against Pakistan

MANCHESTER: Joe Root’s masterful 254 and three early wickets for Chris Woakes put England in a commanding position on the second day of the second test against Pakistan in Manchester on Saturday.

HT Image

Root, who batted for more than 10 hours, struck 27 fours in his highest Test score to lead the hosts to 589 for eight declared and Pakistan’s top order crumbled as they limped to 57 for four at the close.

England, 1-0 down in the series, had resumed in the morning on 314 for four and nightwatchman Woakes dominated the early strike, peppering the boundary with crisp drives and cuts.

Root went past 150 for the fifth time in his test career but he did offer one chance which was spilled by Younus Khan at slip off leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

Woakes continued his fine run of form, hitting eight fours and a six on the way to his second test half-century before he poked a return catch to Shah and departed for 58.

Stokes nicked a catch down the leg-side to wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed of f Wahab Riaz which was given out after a lengthy review but Jonny Bairstow kept up the momentum with a busy 58.

Root’s long vigil ended when he skied Riaz to Mohammad Hafeez running in from deep mid-wicket and the right-hander left the arena to a standing ovation. England captain Alastair Cook declared soon afterwards and Hafeez and Shan Masood safely negotiated a probing opening spell by James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

But Woakes struck in his first over, Hafeez (18) nicking a catch to Root, and the all-rounder caught and bowled Azhar Ali for one.

Stokes had Younus caught down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Bairstow for one and Rahat Ali popped a short ball from Woakes to short leg.