Root expects England will push on for victory

Moeen Ali sweeps one away against Pakistan at Edgbaston yesterday. England’s sixth- wicket pair got set. “It was outstanding,” Root said. “To go through the gears like that, to score quicker and quicker as that last session went on was brilliant.

“You could see it developing throughout, and it’s got us into a really strong position going into the last day.”

Bairstow’s Test batting has been a revelation since he returned to the team mid-Ashes at this venue a year ago.

Root has not been surprised, however, and predicted his club-and-country team-mate has even more to offer.

He said: “I think the way he has applied himself to Test cricket over the last 18 months has been great.

“I really hope that can continue to develop, because I think there’s a lot more we can see from him.”

England needed Root to excel himself too, in his stand of 95 with Vince after Hales and Cook fell early.

“They strung four maidens on the bounce at one stage, and made it very hard for us to score,” he said.

If the title race is intriguing, the battle at the bottom is equally compelling.

Glen Urquhart and Skye shared a point each in a 1-1 draw in Drumnadrochit.

Ally MacDonald’s own goal for Glen was cancelled out by Danny Morrison’s late leveller for Skye.

On Friday evening, title favourites Newtonmore sunk their neighbours Kingussie, with Evan Menzies’ hat-trick playing a significant part.

“We knew if we could get through that period, it would get easier.

“With any four-man attack, that’s what you look to do, take it deep.”

Root was not about to give away the l i kely timing of Cook’s anticipated declaration, but made clear England are beginning to fancy their chances - even on a pitch which has yet to show many signs of deterioration.

“T h e r e’s a slight bit of inconsistent bounce as the game has gone on,” he said.

“We hope that can happen more frequently tomorrow.

■