2nd Test: England v Pakistan at Old Trafford

9.2
Rahat Ali to Cook,leg bye, big nipbacker and a raucous appeal, Tucker shakes his head

That was sliding down clipping the leg bail - umpire's call either way 

Rain again takes the players off the field. The contempt in Beefy's voice over England opting to bat again is palpable. England 56/0.

Excellent analysis by Mikey Holding on Hales' attempts to change his trigger movement by introducing a toe tap. It is worrying that Hales has felt the need to change his technique in the middle of a Test match. He looked all at sea in the first innings, and not much better in the second before nicking off. He has a hard time finding the gaps for ones and twos, and gets bogged down too often.

Cook, on the other hand, looking imperious, and creaming everything. Be interested to hear what Farbrace has to say at the post game press conference regarding the decision not to enforce the follow-on. Also a little surprised that Stokes or Mo hasn't been sent up the order to spank the ball around. This, to me, indicates that England will likely bat on tomorrow morning. I really hope I am wrong. 

There are 2 full days or 6 full sessions Left !

Hopefully no more Rain...

England finish the day at 98/1, a lead of 489 runs. Root looking very good. Cook magnificent. Interesting debate between Bumble and Nasser at the end. Bumble thinks they should declare overnight, Nasser believes England will come out and bat for an hour in the morning.

Looks like Ben Stokes as had to go off injured after what looks like a pulled calf. Unlikely to return I  would have thought and even though it shouldn't make too much difference to the outcome of the game, it will be a slight concern for the next test depending on how bad it is of course.

Well done, Mo. Hafeez back in the pavilion. Pakistan 83/3. Out comes Misbah. This is the key partnership now. Misbah and Younis Khan.

Younis Khan couldn't resist taking on Mo and he picks out Alex Hales on the long-on boundary. Good from Mo. He has tossed it up and varied his pace more than usual. 102/4.

Misbah chops one on. Woakes strikes again. What a summer he is having. 145/5.