Stokes ruled out of third Test

Gary Ballance’s return to Test cricket has resulted in scores of 6, 43 and 23, while Alex Hales has struggled against Pakistan’s new-ball bowlers.

“I can’t claim too much credit for his 250, but it seemed the logical step to put your best batter at number three”, Cook told the post-match presentation.

England s two senior batsmen combined again in a second-innings total of 173 for one declared.

England assistant coach Paul Farbrace backed Alastair Cook’s decision not to enforce the follow-on.

Cook further admitted that the vice-captain has the quality of keeping the scoreboard ticking and helping the blockers like him to play the shots.

England, 98-1 and 489 ahead overnight, ran amok in the morning session to add 75 runs in nine overs as Cook (76no) and Joe Root (71no) improved their second-wicket stand to 105.

The 25-year-old has already missed two Tests, and a limited-overs series, against Sri Lanka this summer because of knee surgery.

“We didn’t do that at Lord’s”.

Arthur added: “It probably gives us a bit better chance but… irrespective of when Alastair chose to declare, we’re still going to have to bat damned well”. It’s up to us to prove we got it right.

For Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq, this was a chastening defeat. I’d say he’d be a fairly big doubt for Edgbaston, that’s fairly obvious. But it was irrelevant, as Pakistan got nowhere near that, all out for 234.

Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah took 10 for 141 at Lord’s, but only managed figures of one for 266 at Old Trafford.

“It was a big difference. But he is a strong character, and before the next Test he will analyse what went wrong – and come back”.

Mohammad Hafeez was 24 not out and Younis Khan, dropped in the slips, 12 not out.

Stokes limped out of England’s attack as they closed on their series-levelling victory over Pakistan at Old Trafford on Monday.

And when Sarfraz Ahmed fell soon after the break to Woakes, England had little problems in polishing off the long Pakistan tail.

Indeed, it all builds to a head at the final Test at the Kia Oval, with England fans hoping they’ll be the ones taking a lead into this last crunch head-to-head.

“We have to improve in every department”.