A masterful 254 from Joe Root and three early wickets for Chris Woakes have put England in a commanding position on day two of the second Test against Pakistan in Manchester.
Root, who batted for more than 10 hours, hit 27 fours in his highest Test score to lead the hosts to 8-589 declared before Pakistan's top order crumbled as they limped to 4-57 at stumps.
"You strive to make contributions and want to set examples so it was nice to go on and make a big one," Root told Sky Sports.
The 25-year-old right-hander's 10th Test century signalled a return to form after a disappointing series against Sri Lanka.
"The little scores give you more drive not to just make hundreds but make big hundreds," Root said.
"I have given it away on occasions so I wanted to hammer it home. I didn't score as quickly as I have before but if that helps me get bigger scores, then that's a way I have to play."
England, 1-0 down in the series, resumed in the morning on 4-314 and nightwatchman Woakes dominated the early strike, peppering the Old Trafford boundary with crisp drives and cuts.
Root went past 150 for the fifth time in his Test career but did offer one chance which was spilled by Younus Khan at slip off leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
Woakes continued his fine run of form, hitting eight fours and a six on the way to his second Test half-century before he poked a return catch to Shah and departed for 58.
Ben Stokes, returning to the side after injury, made a fluent 34, including five fours, and shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 57 with Root who went past 200 with a perfectly executed reverse sweep off Shah.
Stokes nicked a catch down the leg-side to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed off Wahab Riaz which was given out after a lengthy review but Jonny Bairstow kept up the momentum with a busy 58.
Root's long vigil ended when he skied Riaz to Mohammad Hafeez running in from deep mid-wicket and the right-hander left the arena to a standing ovation.
England captain Alastair Cook declared soon afterwards and Hafeez and Shan Masood safely negotiated a probing opening spell by James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
But Woakes struck in his first over, Hafeez (18) nicking a low catch to Root at second slip, and the all-rounder caught and bowled Azhar Ali for one.
Stokes had Younus caught down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Bairstow for one and nightwatchman Rahat Ali popped a short ball from Woakes to short leg.
Masood battled through to 30 not out at the close with captain Misbah-ul-Haq on one but the touring side face a huge task to save the match and prevent England from levelling the four-match series.
Reuters.
