A day of total domination, get Misbah early and open up the tail, could have them following around lunchtime 400+ behind and still 2 full days to try and save the game on a wearing pitch...... A great position to be in after Lords....
Great performance by England but one of many tests where the side that wins the toss wins the game. The first test was a better contest where Pakistan's spinners won the game aided by some poor England batting. It's always better when it's an even contest with both teams in contention going into the final innings but those type of matches don't come along very often...
Almost 400 ahead, in Manchester well known for rain, Cook will be slaughtered if the weather intervenes. It's belt, braces and superglue. Hope he gets a duck...
If they go and throw the bat for thirty overs then fair enough, but Cook doesn't play that way. Plus of course, it needs to stop raining
Can only speculate that it's because Anderson and Stokes are just coming back from injuries,and he doesn't want to see them break down. Also he must be thinking that Pakistan can't bat as poorly again,and that the pitch will deteriorate further.Another factor is I can't see Ali spinning us to victory,his bowling is getting poorer,he only seems to be able to get wickets now when the batsman is slogging at the end of an innings.Having said all that,i would have made them follow on !
If there were any doubts about Anderson's fitness he shouldn't have been picked at all - didn't Cook want him to play in the first Test? Anyway, he had only bowled seven overs today. It's a ridiculous decision by Cook.
It's akin to when Austin used to come back from injury for us. First game back we would take him off after 65-70 minutes,and not let him play the full 90. Your always wary of risking your best players after injury !
Bizarre decision. When you're one down in a series you've got to go for it whatever the circumstances.
Still 2 days to go,more than enough time to win the game. The weather isn't meant to be too bad,so still expect an easy England win.There must be reasons why we didn't enforce the follow on !
I read somewhere last year that the ECB didn't like matches finishing before the 5th day (big refunds) and it's only in recent years that the follow-on has been declined regularly by England in particular, I can't think of a playing reason you would not go for the jugular...
