England Take Command of Third Test After Robinson’s Double Strike

England strengthened their grip on the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, reaching stumps on day two with the tourists 52 for two and still 268 runs away from making the hosts bat again. The Guardian reported that rain limited Pakistan’s second innings to 12.4 overs after England had compiled 453, leaving Joe Root’s side eight wickets from completing a 3-0 series sweep.

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England resumed on 156 for four and added 297 runs during a productive day, although three established batters missed opportunities to reach centuries. Harry Brook advanced from his overnight 52 to 75 before being run out attempting a single, while Dan Lawrence made 65 before playing on and giving Mohammad Imran his first Test wicket.

Jamie Smith contributed 69 despite batting with what the Guardian described as a suspected broken finger. He had entered at 229 for five and attacked Saim Ayub before a leading edge off Razaullah ended his innings. Jordan Cox later deputised as wicketkeeper. Razaullah, making his first appearance, finished with four wickets for 148 runs from 23 overs.

England’s lower order extended the advantage rather than prompting an early declaration. Robinson struck 50 from 47 balls, Jofra Archer finished unbeaten on 32 from 27, and Gus Atkinson added 19. Their contributions helped England move well beyond Pakistan’s first-innings total and gave the bowlers a sizeable cushion for the evening session.

Robinson then made an immediate impact with the ball, taking two wickets in his opening over. Saim Ayub edged the first delivery to Brook at second slip, completing a pair in the match, before Abdullah Shafique was caught by Root at first slip from the fourth ball. Root’s catch was the 220th of his Test career.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood survived one chance when Ben Duckett could not hold a diving opportunity at third slip with Masood on 13. Soon afterward, weather brought the players off and the covers remained in place. Pakistan will resume on 52 for two, facing a large deficit and an England attack seeking the eight wickets required to finish the match.