England v Pakistan: Michael Vaughan praises hosts' flawless display
- Published
England produced a flawless performance to beat Pakistan by 330 runs in the second Test, says former captain Michael Vaughan.
The hosts won with a day to spare at Old Trafford to level the series.
England made 589-8 declared and 173-1 declared to set up their second biggest win over Pakistan in terms of runs.
"It's an absolute hammering. It's as good a four days of cricket that you could wish for from an England point of view," Vaughan told Test Match Special.
Root seizes extra responsibility
England's Joe Root, promoted to number three for this series, was named man of the match after scoring 254 in the first innings and an unbeaten 71 off 48 balls in the second.
He also took four catches in Pakistan's first-innings 198 and claimed a wicket in his only over as Pakistan were bowled out for 234 on Monday.
"It's great to see him stepping up to number three and playing with the responsibility there," said captain Alastair Cook, who made 105 and 76 not out.
"It's as good an innings as I've seen. He's an extraordinary player. He didn't put a foot wrong; he played beautifully."
Root, who twice fell to poor strokes in England's 75-run defeat in the first Test, said: "It's a great feeling.
"Those two occasions at Lord's were batsman error on my part. I tried to cut that out of my game. It's the most controlled I've played."
Coach Trevor Bayliss said: "He went away and did a bit of soul-searching and hard work, came back and did exactly what he said he was going to do."
Vaughan: added: "This was his best Test-match innings."
'England broke Pakistan's spirit'
Pakistan batted for only 63 overs in the first innings and 70 in the second on a pitch that offered the bowlers little assistance.
"Their spirit was broken," said former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott.
"Full marks to England - they got it all together, the quality of the batting, the discipline, their good bowling.
"England are in a good place and will win again. They will be too strong for Pakistan. I'll be surprised if they come back."
Pakistan play a two-day tour game against Worcestershire at New Road starting on Friday before the third Test at Edgbaston gets under way on 3 August.
Vaughan said: "England should enjoy the win and have a good party, but I just have a feeling that this series is going to be very, very tight."
Of the Pakistan players, only captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq have passed 50 in the first two Tests of the four-match series.
"This is a big disappointment for us," said Misbah. "We could have scored around 400 in the first innings - the ball wasn't doing anything much.
"We are short of confidence and shot selection really cost us.
"These guys are strong characters - mentally strong. I'm hopeful that everybody is hurt and they will really work hard."
England v Pakistan - Test schedule |
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1st Test, Lords: Pakistan won by 75 runs |
2nd Test, Old Trafford: England won by 330 runs |
3rd Test: Edgbaston, 3-7 August |
4th Test: The Oval, 11-15 August |
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