ENG in charge against PAK as Root, Brook's fifties take them to 366/8

England strengthened its grip on the first test against Pakistan on Thursday, with Joe Root and Harry Brook among four batters to make half-centuries in a score of 366-8 that gave the hosts a first-innings lead of 195 runs after Day 2.

Brook, the world's top-ranked test batter, came closest to reaching a hundred on his home ground of Headingley but fell for 91 - one of those dismissed by Ali Usman (5-92) in the left-arm spinner's first five-wicket haul.

Root (66) and Jordan Cox (73) shared a 150-run partnership after England resumed on 112-2 four hours into the day, with rain causing a long delay to the start of play.

Dan Lawrence, playing his first test in two years, hit 51 at No.

6 and was another England batter likely ruing a missed opportunity to go big against some substandard bowling and erratic fielding.

In general, it has been a poor showing by Pakistan, which was bowled out for 171 in barely two sessions on Wednesday.

Brook dropped on 1 then punishes ...