LEEDS, England : Harry Brook continued his remarkable dominance over Pakistan as England built a commanding 195-run first-innings lead on the second day of the opening test at Headingley on Wednesday.
Brook struck 91 from 93 balls, taking his average against Pakistan in 12 tests above 85, as England reached 366-8 at the close after a rain-shortened day.
The Yorkshireman was dropped on one at second slip by Salman Ali Agha off Khurram Shahzad but went on to punish Pakistan’s inexperienced seam attack, hitting 13 fours before falling to spinner Ali Usman.
Usman was Pakistan’s standout bowler, taking 5-92, including the wickets of Brook, Dan Lawrence, Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson.
Brook shared a fifth-wicket stand of 120 with Lawrence, who marked his return to test cricket after two years away with an aggressive 51 from 79 balls.
Lawrence, recalled to replace the retired Ben Stokes, followed the platform provided by Joe Root and Jordan Cox before top-edging a sweep off Usman.
Root made 66 for his 109th test fifty-plus score, while Cox posted the first half-century of his test career with 73.
The pair added 150 for the third wicket before Pakistan struck in quick succession. Cox, promoted to number three after Jacob Bethell’s knee injury, was caught behind off Usman after misjudging a full delivery, while Root was trapped lbw by Shahzad four balls later.
Cox had earlier punished Shahzad, hitting seven fours in 12 balls during a rapid passage that took him to his maiden test fifty.
England benefited from some loose Pakistan fielding as they maintained the aggressive approach associated with the team’s recent “Bazball” era, despite Brendon McCullum’s departure as red-ball coach.
Caretaker coach Marcus Trescothick has encouraged the players to continue batting in their own style, Cox said.
“Headingley is one of quickest-scoring grounds in the country and Tres has been really good with us,” Cox said.
“He has told everyone: ‘bat your way, bat how you want to and enjoy it’ and that’s what we’ve done.”
Usman removed Atkinson and Robinson with successive deliveries in the 80th over to leave England eight wickets down, with Jamie Smith and Jofra Archer still at the crease.
“Hopefully the boys can get 50 runs tomorrow … and then get to our work,” Cox said.
Pakistan, who have not won a test in England since 2018, face a difficult task with clearer weather forecast for the remaining three days.
“England have the upper hand but we will try to score as many runs as we can second innings,” Usman said.
“We have to get the two wickets as soon as possible and then try to score runs as a batting unit. Hopefully our batters can make a comeback and save the test match.”
