Olé for Robinson as England take firm control of Lord’s Test against Pakistan

Second Test, day two: England 290 & 81-3; Pakistan 110 Ollie Robinson takes 4-11; Emilio Gay unbeaten on 30 Joe Root did not want the England captaincy when the prospect started to be floated earlier this summer.

After performing the role as a ­stand-in for the suspended Ben Stokes against New Zealand at the Oval, his father, Matt, floated a full-time return as a hypothetical and says this was met with a “no”.

Root was apparently swayed by the impending arrival of Stephen ­Fleming as head coach, with the pair speaking regularly before roles were locked down.

But watching this ­one-sided second day against Pakistan at Lord’s – and indeed the ­one-sided series opener at ­Headingley – one wonders whether being handed the keys to this pace attack was another clincher for Root.

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