Alastair Cook redeemed as England thrash Pakistan by 330 runs to level series despite injury to Ben Stokes

FOR Alastair Cook and his players, there were no salutes or Army manoeuvres. Just a glow of satisfaction.

The way England turned around this series from the disaster at Lord’s proved their resolve, determination and, most importantly, ability to learn.

Victory by 330 runs in the Second Test — losing only nine wickets in the process — is a thrashing in anyone’s language.

Even another injury to all-rounder Ben Stokes could not remove the gloss from such a comprehensive and destructive performance.

Cook was neither upset nor angry by Pakistan’s quirky celebration at the end of the First Test. He was just annoyed England had  lost.

Now, with Joe Root’s monumental innings of 254 leading the way, England re-asserted their authority. It will be a surprise if they do not win the series from here.

The main lesson from Lord’s was that England needed to play spinner Yasir Shah with a straight bat  and not gift soft wickets.

Look at these numbers: Yasir took 10-141 at Lord’s and returned 1-266 in   Manchester. What a difference.

Man-of-the-match Root scored a total of 325 runs, the most in an Old Trafford Test. He also held four catches and took a wicket.

He became only the third England batsman after Andrew Sandham and Graham Gooch to make more than 250 and 50 in the same Test.

Yasir rarely stopped smiling, but it might be he has been neutered.

Captain Cook said: “Joe is a world-class player and it was a great innings, one of the best I’ve seen.

“He keeps the score moving so well and blockers like me can get carried along by him!

“We came into this game under a bit of pressure but showed so much character. The guys learned from Lord’s, spoke about things and put them into action.

“We were below the standard we wanted at Lord’s in batting, bowling and catching. To put most of those things right was very pleasing.

“Apart from the catch I dropped, it was a good game all round.

“I still think we have a couple more years in which we can improve.

“In terms of experience and  scoring hundreds, three of the top five have a bit of a way to go.

“Consistency is something we can improve and develop.

“It’s up to senior players like myself and now Joe to lead the way on the batting front. There is so much talent in that batting order.”

Cook and Root advanced their second-wicket stand to 105 in 14.1 overs before Cook declared.

They became only the eighth pair for England to share two century partnerships in the same Test.

England’s bowlers were soon scything through Pakistan’s top order.

Set a nominal 565 to win, the tourists never looked likely to extend the match deep into the final day.

James Anderson, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali all took three wickets.

As usual, Anderson dismissed left-handed opener Shan Masood, this time caught at slip.

In his three Tests against England, Masood has been dismissed six times out of six by Anderson. Azhar Ali was leg before for the third time in the series and then Mohammad Hafeez was caught via bat and pad.

Younis Khan holed out to long-on and Misbah-ul-Haq dragged a ball from Woakes onto his stumps.

A few Pakistan batsmen were getting set, but none of them were able to play a substantial innings.

Keeper Sarfraz Ahmed gloved a catch legside and Asad Shafiq was plumb leg before to Anderson.

Yasir Shah was lbw to Ali and Wahab Riaz caught attempting a big hit legside.

Mohammad Amir had some fun, scoring 29 before being caught at mid-off and England clinched the win.

Stokes pulled up during his sixth over. He now faces further recovery, having just returned from two months out after a knee op.

Cook said: “It’s too early to say if the injury is very serious, but Ben is a tough nut and he felt something go.

“We’ll know more in the morning, but he must be a fairly big doubt for the Third Test.

“He is a tough guy and his personality helps lift the team.

“He plays on the brink, gives us that edge, never takes a backward step and drags people with him.

“If he is not there at Edgbaston he will be a big miss.”

Stokes damaged a shoulder diving for a catch against Pakistan in Sharjah  last year then missed England’s last three Tests after knee surgery.

Cook added: “Ben is a true athlete who is always prepared to throw himself around.

“He could just stand in the slips, saying he’s an all-rounder and  trying to protect  himself. But that is just not his style.”