Seam quartet puts England on verge of series win

Second Rothesay Test, Lord's (day two of five)

England 290 (Smith 61, Cox 55; Abbas 4-73) & 81-3 (Gay 30*)

Pakistan 110 (Awais 46; Robinson 4-11, Archer 3-26)

England lead by 261 runs

Scorecard

England's quartet of seamers once again overwhelmed Pakistan to put the home side on the verge of a series win on the second day of the second Test at Lord's.

Led by Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer, and supported by Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson, the foursome gave another demonstration of why there is growing optimism around the England attack.

The struggling Pakistanis, without the injured Imam-ul-Haq, were hustled out for 110. Only Azan Awais, who made 46, passed 20 – extras was the next highest score.

Robinson continued his sensational comeback summer with 4-11, while Archer bowled with electrifying pace for his 3-26.

It gave England, who earlier extended their first innings to 290, an advantage of 180 runs.

The hosts were soon 13-2 in their second innings before being steadied by a stand of 47 between Emilio Gay and Joe Root.

As the light drew in, Root was dismissed by Mohammad Ali for 24, the captain once again lbw to a seam bowler in what has become a trend for England's all-time leading run-scorer.

Harry Brook overturned being given out lbw first ball to the same bowler and Gay battled to 30 not out. The opener has the opportunity for a much-needed score to quieten questions about his place in the side.

England reached 81-3, a lead of 261. Given Saturday's weather forecast, they may have to wait some time to build their advantage.

If a competitive first day, when England reached 248-9, left this match evenly poised, the second day was almost entirely dominated by the home side and put them in complete control.

Atkinson and Tongue added 42 runs on Friday morning to take their 10th-wicket partnership to 47. It gave England all the momentum.

And the value of England's total was put into context by the quality of their bowling. Batting conditions eased slightly on day two, though there was still plenty of assistance for bowlers who put the ball in the right place. England were relentless in doing so again and again.

Pakistan were unfortunate to lose opener Imam to a calf injury, but his absence probably did little to alter the outcome.

Even with England's wobble at the beginning of their second innings, they probably already have enough to win this match and the series. In three attempts so far on the tour, Pakistan's highest total is 171 and they have not managed to bat for 50 overs.

Saturday's weather forecast is horrendous, possibly a complete washout. If that is the case, England still have more than enough time to wrap up victory over the bank holiday weekend.

England's pace attack has come together out of necessity following the retirement of Ben Stokes. Excitement over its future prospects should be tempered because of the fragility of the opposition, yet there is no doubt England's bowlers have been outstanding so far in this series.

Archer, as he often is at Lord's, was sensational and deserved more. His top speed in a terrifying opening spell touched 95mph and he averaged 90.7mph.

Somehow, with Awais constantly playing and missing, the only victim in Archer's first five overs was Shan Masood.

Robinson was a complete contrast yet no less effective. Operating almost exclusively with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith up to the stumps – Smith was magnificent - Robinson barely reached 80mph. Still, he gave the batters a forensic examination with metronomic accuracy and exaggerated movement in the air and off the seam.

Behind them, Tongue's full length gave him two wickets – Tongue has struck once every 13.3 balls in this series. Somehow, Atkinson has taken only one wicket in three innings and was denied another when Awais reviewed being given caught behind, a decision overturned as the players were leaving the field for a short rain delay.

When they returned, Robinson and Archer were irresistible. Two smart lbw reviews to remove Saud Shakeel and Muhammad Rizwan, followed by a short ball to get Awais, took Robinson's tally this summer to 19 wickets in three matches at an average of 8.84.

Archer got some overdue rewards by bowling both Ali Usman and Muhammad Abbas. His bowling average on this ground is 17, compared to more than 30 everywhere else.

England's top order is becoming congested. Jordan Cox has two half-centuries in this series and someone may have to be squeezed out when Jacob Bethell returns from a knee injury. Gay has given himself the chance to ensure it will not be him.

The home side were two down inside 19 balls. Ben Duckett played an awful drive to be caught at mid-off and Cox was trapped on the crease to be lbw, both to Khurram Shahzad. Given their healthy lead, there was no panic for England, but caution was required.

Left-hander Gay was patient, occasionally scoring through the off side. Root looked to have played himself in, only to again find himself pinned on the pad.

When Ali nipped one back to Root, the captain reviewed in desperation. This was the ninth time in seven Tests he has been lbw to a seam bowler, having fallen in similar fashion only three times in his previous 39 matches. It is a problem whether the wicketkeeper is standing up to the stumps or not.

The next ball, to Brook, was almost identical. The England vice-captain was spared the same fate as Root thanks to an inside edge.

The light faded quickly and batting became about surviving to the oncoming close. Gay survived an edge off Abbas that did not carry and now has an opportunity he must take.