CRICKET ROOT Tyke Joe strides to super 250 to have Manchester rockin’ & Pakistan reelin’

England on top as FLOWER: WE SLACKED OFF

JOE ROOT can do the press-ups. And the rest of England can take care of the salutes after the Yorkshireman crossed the Pennine divide to become the toast of Old Trafford.

The elegant right-hander clocked up a mammoth 254 – his highest score in first-class cricket – with a simply majestic knock.

Pakistan may have somehow upset Alastair Cook’s men with their victory celebrations at Lord’s last week – marking their triumph with reference to a boot camp they have undertaken to improve their fitness.

Whatever offence was taken, the 25-year-old made them pay. And how! After reachingching three figures on Friday, he cashedashed in on a true pitch with a flawlessawless doubleton – and with Chris Woakes (right)t) at the heart of a late four-wicketwicket burst his effortst s were rewarded.

Root justt looked every inch one ne of the world’s best,, flaying Misbah-ul-Haq’s aq’s attack to all parts, in a stay at the crease which lasted just over 10 hours.

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For oncec e Old Trafford revelledvelled in the sight of f a man with the White Rose in his blood cutting loose.e.

“Who’d have thought it?” said a smiling Root afterwards when pressedd as to the reaction from the Manchester crowd.

“I really enjoyed it. I was a bit fired up. It was an amazing atmosphere. It was really special. And something I’ll remember for a long time.” One of the reasons why the batsman was so animated, particul particularly when he reache reached 200 – was the criticism that came his way aft after two careless dismissa dismissals in the first Test.Test . Ro Root said: “I want wanted to set an examp example and it was really nice to go on and ge get a big one. It was good to go on a and do it. “Our bowling c coach, Ottis Gibs Gibson, came up to me at tea o on the first day and said: ‘ ‘If you ever get bored of batting,b take a deep bre breath and start again’. I couldn’t stop thinking a about that all day.” Root’s st statistics spoke for themsel themselves. His superb effort was th the second highest by an Eng English No.3 in Test history. It was also the third highest individua individual score at Old Trafford w with only Ken Barrington a and Aussie Bob Simpson ahe ahead of him. And it was also the third highest ind individual score against Paki Pakistan. All in all, he faced 406 balls and h hit 27 fours to PAKISTAN coach Grant Flower claimed his side relaxed too much after their Lord’s triumph.

Following last week’s victory in the opening Test, the tourists produced a lifeless display with the ball as Joe Root took centre leave England in a no-lose position going into the final three days.

Is there anything this bloke can’t do?

During the World T20s, he left us open- mouthed with his brilliant knock against South Africa.

He averages 45 in the one-day arena and well over the magic 50-mark in Tests.

After a quick cuppa, he was back out on the field, clutching a tricky low catch at second slip to dismiss Mohammad Hafeez off Woakes before the Warwickshire man struck again late on by catching Azhar Ali off his own bowling.

Stokes t hen removed t he dangerous Younis Khan to leave the tourists reeling.

When a rising ball from Woakes popped up to short leg where Gary Ballance took a simple chance to remove nightwatchman Rahat Ali, the day belonged firmly to the hosts.

Although Root took the plaudits, the supporting cast played its part.

Woakes was full value for his runs – sharing a century partnership with the man of the day – the highlight of which was one slashed six over third man.

Jonny Bairstow just carried on where his colleague left off.

With Mohammad Amir struggling to shake off a leg problem and Yasir Shah suddenly holding no mystery Pakistan looked tired.

Not surprising, really. Not even a special fitness regime could have prepared them for what Root threw their way. stage. Mystery spin bowler Yasir Shah went from hero to zero as England tamed the 10-wicket terror who finished with the most expensive figures ever recorded at Old Trafford.

And then Pakistan’s batsmen showed little stomach for a fight as Chris Woakes tore into their

Rising

line-up. Flower (left) said: “It wasn’t good enough – we are extremely disappointed.

“There were some tired shots out there.

“I wouldn’t say we were overconfident. But history shows that after a big victory Pakistan can relax.”