Are England simply ensuring that they won't lose the match/series? If there was a crowd, they might be making their feelings shown, but with no 'human barometer', decisions won't be made to please the crowd (not that they ever are)
With bad weather on Tuesday - and potential bad weather tomorrow and Monday - probably our only way to win this to bowl Pakistan out twice without needing to bat again. To do that requires Pakistan to not reach the FO target. So I can understand Root wanting to increase that FO target. An extra over or two tonight probably wouldn't have made any extra difference. But increasing that FO target by 30 runs or so might yet.
Finally Joe waves his hand. 13 overs to bowl, I think, so that’s a good spell for (presumably) Broad and Anderson.
Even if they don't follow on, we can declare again...no need to play a second innings if you don't need to.
Of course, a cynic might say that the important thing in terms of the World Test Championship is to win the series, which England have now all but made sure of by ensuring at least a draw. But the scoring system is so arcane I’m not sure I fully understand it.
I hope Pakistán put up a decent fight in their second innings. Sweeping sides away so easily doesn't do anyone any favours. Besides I am sure we all want a good battle between bat and ball before England claim their deserved victory.
Close games are exciting (if England win) but I also enjoy massacres (if England win), so I’m pretty open minded and sporting (if England win).
