Summary

  • Root 141*, Cook 105

  • Cook's 29th century, level with Bradman

  • Cook & Root add 185 for second wicket

  • Hales 10, Vince 18, Ballance 23

  • Second Test, Old Trafford; Pak 1-0 up

Live Reporting

Stephan Shemilt and Bibhash Dash

  1. Ed Smith
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    One of the most assured and complete batsmen to have played for England in recent decades.  

  2. 50 for Root

    Eng 112-1

    Well played Joe! The Yorkshireman pulls Rahat for four and a couple of deliveries later gets to his 50 with a double towards mid-wicket. Couple of raises of the bat, few nods here and there, nothing flashy. Crowd very appreciative as well. Remember he missed a 50 by two runs at Lord's, so that's one milestone checked off his list for this series.

  3. Ramiz Raja
    Former Pakistan captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Cook and Root have looked in very good shape - they have been organised, their concentration levels have been good, they've not taken anything for granted, and they've played everything on merit.

  4. Eng 105-1

    Yasir dealt in quite a few tidy overs at Lord's. He continues that trend here, but can't get a maiden in as Root expertly plays down towards fine leg off the final ball for a single, again off his back foot. I suspect we will be talking about that approach of his for a while today.

  5. Underwater cricket

  6. Eng 104-1

    Rahat 8-1-31-0

    I like the idea of car cricket. Must use it next time I'm stuck in congestion on the M62. Although bicycles seem to have been left out. How much do they value at - especially in a big city centre area like Manchester's?

    A grunting Rahat is left frustrated yet again as Cook drives down to long on for four. Was but a push, a gentle nudge down, but - as many a pundit likes to say - it was all about the timing. Rahat can't quite stretch his left leg to stop it.

  7. Impromptu cricket

    #bbccricket

    Will Stebbing: Car cricket: Car=1 run, van=2, motorbike=3, small lorry=4, big lorry=6. If it is red you're out.

    Nathan Harrod: In computer room, a bin as the wicket, a rolled up newspaper as the bat and a golf ball/tennis ball/bouncy ball.

  8. Eng 99-1

    Cook 41, Root 43

    Yasir, who apparently dreamed seamers' dreams as a youngster, runs his three or four paces up to the wicket and keeps Root on the back foot. Yasir's smile, more than anything, is infectious. There's another minor mix-up, this time Cook warning against a single.

  9. Ramiz Raja
    Former Pakistan captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Pakistan have been below par as far as chirp and energy in the field is concerned. They were flat. On a flat pitch, you need more encouragement.

  10. Eng 97-1

    A few Pakistan players rubbing their eyes etc. I wonder if any are feeling lethargic after what was a bit of a grind in that morning session. I certainly saw umpire Rod Tucker let out a small yawn just before lunch. Can be catching, you know. 

    Rahat gives two away to begin. There was a very slight mix-up in running between Root and Cook, the captain sent back midway through a second run but no harm done.

  11. Ramiz Raja
    Former Pakistan captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Pakistani bowlers will have to change their game plan against Root because he has played that back-foot push so well. Maybe inswing is something they can concentrate on.

  12. Eng 95-1

    Root 41, Cook 40

    Right, Pakistan's players gather for their usual pre-play talk near the edge of the boundary. England's Alastair Cook and Joe Root come out mimicking their practice shots. A quick fist bump as well as they march to the middle. Rahat Ali to bowl the first over from the Brian Statham End.

  13. Impromptu cricket

    #bbccricket

    Donald Brown: Driveway cricket for many a year. leccy box=silly mid off, bush=short leg, garage door=wk and slips, retirement flats=boundary.

  14. Impromptu cricket

    I've been following your suggestions for impromptu cricket with interest. Some extraordinary ones from some exotic locations.

    A low-key one from me, and also slightly off-beat, one of my favourites is book cricket. You know the one where you pick a page at random, the last digit of the page number on the right is your score off that 'delivery' - a zero means you're out. Really, the run-scoring parameters are yours to choose. Also, a great way to pretend you're paying attention during lectures. You're welcome!

    Any other alternative methods of playing impromptu cricket you can think of? 

  15. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

  16. Sunny start

    Cheers Steph! What a time to be at the cricket. Sunny climes, a bright start by England barring that Hales dismissal, and two set batsmen at the crease. What could possibly be better if you're of an England persuasion?

    I've got my fourth coffee of the day in front of me, so no better platform on that front. Play to resume shortly.

  17. Right then, lunch time for me. Here's Bibhash Dash.

  18. Ask the Umpire

    BBC Test Match Special

    If a ball is hit in the air towards the crowd, and a fielder chases it into the stands, runs up 10 steps, jumps before he catches the ball and throws it to a fellow fielder before he touches the floor is the batsman out? Archie Cameron

    John Holder: "The first contact with the ball has got to be on the field of play. He has run off the field of play, so not out."

  20. Listen overseas to TMS

    Do you live abroad? Are you on your holidays? You can still listen to Test Match Special by clicking here.

    Not available to listeners in the UK, Sri Lanka, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh.  

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