Harry Brook puts England in command as Pakistan toil on shortened day at Headingley
Harry Brook turned the first Test against Pakistan firmly England's way at Headingley, building a commanding 195-run lead on a second day cut short by weather BBC Sport.
The match, which began on Wednesday 19 August and is scheduled to run through to the 23rd, is the opening contest of Pakistan's tour — a Rothesay-sponsored series of Tests for which England named a 16-player squad earlier this month ECB. Joe Root is leading the side, stepping into the captaincy as England move beyond the freewheeling "Bazball" approach that defined the previous era ESPNcricinfo.
By the time bad light and the elements intervened, England had reached 279 for 4 in the 61st over, with Brook on 44 and Dan Lawrence on 33 The Guardian. That position reflected a day in which England's middle order did the heavy lifting after the top order had given the innings a platform.
Joe Root and Jordan Cox each passed fifty before falling in quick succession — dismissed within five balls of each other to briefly hand Pakistan a sniff of momentum ESPNcricinfo. That double breakthrough was the one passage that went Pakistan's way on a day otherwise dominated by the home side. A half-century, for those newer to the format, is an individual score of 50 or more runs — a meaningful milestone that signals a batsman has settled and is building something substantial.
Pakistan, meanwhile, are without their talisman Babar Azam for this Test — a significant absence for a touring side already facing an uphill battle to stay in the contest ESPNcricinfo. Azam is Pakistan's most accomplished batter across formats, and his removal from the top order leaves a gap that the rest of the line-up has yet to fill.
For Brook, this is a continuation of a year in which he has become one of England's most important players. Back in February, his century as captain carried England to a tense two-wicket win over Pakistan in the semi-final of the Twenty20 World Cup Reuters. Now, back on home turf at Headingley — the Leeds ground where he plays his county cricket — he is again the player around whom England's innings revolves.
With a lead approaching 200 and wickets still in hand, England are well placed to press for a result over the remaining days. Pakistan's challenge is twofold: claw back the deficit quickly, and find a way through a lower middle order that looks increasingly settled. The weather, which has already cost the match precious overs, may yet have a further say before the series picture becomes clear.
