England keep Pakistan under pressure
LEEDS, (Reuters) - Every England batsmen contributed but not one reached a half-century as Joe Root’s side ratcheted up the pressure on Pakistan in the second test to lead by 128 at the end of a rain-affected second day at Headingley yesterday.
By the late close, England had reached 302 for seven with Jos Buttler (34) and Sam Curran (16) still at the crease.
After the morning session was lost to the weather, England mixed watchful defence with occasional attack to increase their stranglehold on the game and further their chances of levelling the two-test series.
Their batsmen were heavily criticised for lack of application during their nine-wicket first-test defeat but looked much more impressive in Leeds, building a strong platform from which their bowlers can attack on Sunday.
The only thing lacking from England’s point of view was an individual score of note as Root (45), Dominic Bess (49), Dawid Malan (28), Jonny Bairstow (21) and then Buttler all kept the scoreboard ticking over without anyone threatening three figures.
Resuming on 106 for two when the rain relented, England showed their aggressive intentions by taking 21 in the first three overs, a flow of runs helped by some sloppy fielding from the visitors.
Root was first to go, edging a ball aimed across him by Mohammad Amir after adding 16 to his overnight score.
Malan also played himself in before departing to Amir’s first ball after tea while, at the other end, 20-year-old nightwatchman Bess fell one run short of his second successive test half-century when he edged to slip. England 1st innings