England have taken complete control of the second Test at Lord’s. A day that began in the balance veered quickly and dramatically towards the hosts as Pakistan, having laboured to see off tail, disintegrated in reply.When bad light brought a premature end to play with England 81-3 in their second innings, the home side’s advantage already stretched to 261, with Emilio Gay having battled his way to 30 not out in difficult conditions as he seeks to convince the selectors he is the long-term solution as an opener. The only real concern was captain Joe Root falling to an increasingly familiar mode of dismissal.On the second day:
England’s first innings eventually ended at 290 after Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue put on 47 for the last wicket
With Imam-ul-Haq injured, Pakistan only managed 110 all out as the hosts’ seam attack excelled
Ollie Robinson, the pick of the bowlers, took 4-11 and Jofra Archer 3-26 as only Azan Awais, with 46, resisted
Root fell leg before wicket for the ninth time in 12 Test innings, but his team are on the verge of a series win.
