England’s batters fired to give it an imposing 195-run lead despite spinner Ali Usman’s five-wicket haul at the close of play on Day 2 of the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley.

Jordan Cox, captain Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Dan Lawrence all scored half-centuries for the host, though all four will be disappointed not to have converted a ton.

The start of play was considerably delayed by rain, and after the day was shortened to 58 overs, Cox and Root returned from overnight under a heavy cloud cover. However, the Pakistan attack was unable to cause them too many issues as they wiped off the remaining deficit and added a 150-run partnership.

Both batters also reached their fifties – for Cox his maiden Test fifty – in consecutive deliveries. 

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Cox was the first to ball, edging Usman behind on 73, before Khurram Shehzad trapped Root in front soon after.

The quick wickets brought Brook and Lawrence to the crease, and the pair set about adding to Pakistan’s woes quickly. They added 120 runs together, and ran the Pakistan seamers ragged.

Lawrence – returning to the Test side for the first time since an ill-fated stint as an opener – fell shortly reaching his fifty attempting to slog-sweep Usman while Brook saw his stumps dismantled nine short of a ton.

Usman also accounted for Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. The left-arm spinner was the lone bright spot on a day where Pakistan’s seamers proved ineffective in theoretically helpful conditions. 

Published on Aug 21, 2026