His calls right
adding a brisk 75 together to stretch the lead to 564.
James Anderson had Pakistan two down at lunch, removing Shan Mahsood for the sixth time in their three Tests against each other (there will surely not be a fourth) for just one and Azhar Ali lbw for eight.
After Stokes’s departure shortly after lunch, Moeen took over the baton to whip out Mohammad Hafeez and Younis Khan before Woakes bagged Misbah and Sarfraz Ahmed.
At 163-6 the writing was on the wall and Anderson, Moeen, Root and Woakes stripped away the last pieces of resistance bit by bit, Mohammad Amir eventually holing out to Stuart Broad at mid-off to end Pakistan’s innings at 234 and win the match.
Whatever the results of the scan on Stokes’s calf this morning, he is not going to be risked in Birmingham, which is likely to see an opportunity open for a bowler – either Steve Finn or Jake Ball, who are near the front of the queue.
The third Test starting next Wednesday might just come a touch early for Mark Wood, who made his recent comeback from an ankle injury with the Lions but probably needs to get a Championship match with Durham under his belt before internationals.
Aside from the injury to Stokes, England’s batting may not quite have the solidity that Cook would like. His own form is good, with contributions here of 105 and 76 not out, and Root is unquestionably turning into one of the best in the world.
But behind that there are genuine concerns about the rest of the batting line-up with Cook admitting there is worrying inexperience, lack of form or both in three out of the top five positions.