England's bowlers, led by Ollie Robinson's remarkable four for 11, dismissed Pakistan for a sorry-looking 110 at Lord's on day two of the second Test, giving the hosts a 180-run first-innings lead. England then stretched their advantage to 261 by the close, reaching 81 for three in their second innings after a final session that featured early wickets but a steadying stand.
Robinson claimed his figures from 13 overs, while Jofra Archer took three for 26 from 11.2 overs. The visitors folded inside 38 overs, with only the 21-year-old opener Azan Awais offering resistance, holding firm for just shy of three hours before holing out off Robinson for 46.
Root's captaincy and a week of distractions
Joe Root did not want the England captaincy when the prospect started to be floated earlier this summer, according to his father, Matt, who said a full-time return was met with a "no". However, Root was apparently swayed by the impending arrival of Stephen Fleming as head coach, with the pair speaking regularly before roles were locked down.
The week has been stressful for Root, with the needless Brydon Carse affair dominating the build-up. As per his old man, Root spent "four hours" on the phone last Sunday dealing with the fallout when he was meant to be relaxing at a family lunch. He was still thoroughly pissed off about it at his pre-match press conference two days later.
Bowling dominance and a potent attack forming
England's attack, marshalled by Root from mid-off, delivered a straightjacket of line bowling from Robinson at the Nursery End, allied with the heat of Archer from the other. There was next to no let-up when Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue replaced them.
Tongue removed Abdullah Shafique to bring about the interval, with Pakistan 16 for two after an hour-long ordeal. Archer had earlier nicked off the footwork-devoid Shan Masood and repeatedly breached the 90mph mark, while Jamie Smith continued his promising summer with the gloves.
Second innings wobble and a steadying stand
England's second innings started poorly when Ben Duckett chipped Shahzad to mid-off for one and Jordan Cox, lbw for eight, handed Shahzad a second wicket. But Emilio Gay (30 not out) and Root settled things down, with England closing in on a first series win for 18 months.
Root's chief issue is a growing pattern of his falling over the ball and being pinned lbw. It happened again on 26 inside the final hour, with Mohammad Ali the man to strike. But with the lead already looking plenty for his attack to work with, it was anything but a knockout blow.
