ENG v PAK, 2nd Test Day 2 Review: Joe Root steals the show

While Day 1 was all about Joe Root and Alastair Cook, Day 2 was about just the former. Statisticians have for long argued that it takes at least one Test match in the series for Joe Root to get to his best. Unfortunately for Pakistan, Root was in simply sublime form and they were at the receiving end of his batting genius. Things got from bad to worse on Day 2 of the first Test as they lost four of their wickets in the final session of play with the odds of an England victory blossoming with each day’s play.
Play began with Root reaching his 150, a well-deserved score.

Moreover, what was even more impressive was the performance of Chris Woakes. Brought in early on in the innings to play the difficult role of a nightwatchman, Woakes initially found the role rather uncomfortable. However, in the early hours of Day 2, the England pacer seemed at complete ease. He smashed the ball to different parts of Old Trafford, bringing up a well-deserved half-century as well as stitching a valuable 100-run partnership with Root.

The total by the home side soared to heights as the Pakistan bowlers bowled rather helplessly at their opponents, hoping that Cook would soon call the declaration. Joe Root reached only his second double century in Test cricket as Ben Stokes made merry of the feeble Pakistan bowling attack. Yasir Shah, the hero of the first Test for Pakistan could only bowl all day long as he concluded his spell with just the one wicket.

The declaration, however, was postponed when Jonny Bairstow recaptured some of his exhilarating form from the ENG v SL series as he smashed a quick-fire 58 to put England in a zone of absolute invincibility. At 589, Cook decided that it was indeed time to call a declaration and allow the opposition a few overs to bat at the end of the day.

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When James Anderson came out to bowl, a seemingly dry wicket suddenly started to swing. Moreover, it began to swing in all directions, ensuring that the England bowlers were simply unplayable. In spite of not picking up a wicket, James Anderson and the intimidating England bowling attack was well and truly back.

Chris Woakes reprised his role as wrecker-in-chief as he capitalized on the openings created by Broad and Anderson. He removed the dangerous looking Mohammad Hafeez before he struck again by dismissing Azhar Ali. Ben Stokes momentarily had his picture perfect comeback moment as he dismissed the dangerous Younis Khan. Finally, it was nightwatchman Rahat Ali, who became the third victim on the day for the irresistible Chris Woakes. At the end of the day, it was Pakistan who was reeling at 57/4 as Day 3 beckons.

Brief Scores

England, 1st innings: 589/8 (J Root 254; W Riaz 3/106)

Pakistan, 1st Innings: 57/4 (S Masood 30*; C Woakes 3/18)

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