The Cricket Briefing: England tighten their grip as Pakistan let standards slip

Play started late on Thursday but England wasted no time in taking control of the match, establishing a lead of 195 by the close of day two

Live England face Pakistan at Headingley (August 19-23) before further Tests at Lord's (August 27-31) and Edgbaston (September 9-13); Joe Root back as permanent captain following Ben Stokes' international retirement; Marcus Trescothick interim coach with Stephen Fleming taking over in winter Wednesday 19 August 2026 18

Updates from Headingley; play starts 11am BST Ali Martin on ‘El Dysfunctiono’ | The Spin Warm applause as Joe Root leads England out at the start of his second spell as permanent captain. Are there any precedents for this, an experienced former captain returning to the job on a permanent basis years later? Bob Simpso

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