<\/p>\n
Jordan Cox was one of four half-centurions as England maintained control of the first Test against Pakistan \u2013 but there were a few regrets as no one reached three figures on day two in Leeds.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were hoping one of us would have kicked on and instead of make it just a hundred, make it 150, 160, 170,\u201d said Cox, who hit 73 in his first Test innings at No 3. \u201cAnd then the game looks, not completely different, but it puts us in definitely a better position.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, England look primed to take a series lead. Harry Brook top-scored with 91 as Joe Root and Dan Lawrence hit 66 and 51, respectively, after rain delayed the start of play until 2.45pm. England closed on 366 for eight, extending their first-innings lead to 195.<\/p>\n
Ali Usman was the one positive on another tough day for Pakistan, with the left-arm spinner claiming five for 92. \u201cHopefully, the boys can get 50 runs tomorrow,\u201d said Cox. \u201cYou never know, we\u2019ve still got Jamie [Smith] at the crease there and Jofra [Archer], who can still give it a good whack. So hopefully 50-odd runs and then get to our work.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Cox \u2013 who edged behind off Usman \u2013 there were mixed emotions as he missed out on a first international hundred, a score that would have been a serious statement while he fills in for the absent Jacob Bethell.<\/p>\n
\u201cI let myself down a tiny bit, but at the end of the day, you take 70, don\u2019t you? Once I got to 50, I got to about 60 quite quickly, and I was thinking, there\u2019s a chance here \u2013 just keep being disciplined. I definitely had it in the back of my mind thinking, you know, you\u2019ve worked so hard, don\u2019t give this opportunity up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, a Test comeback has been put on hold for Sam Curran after the all-rounder was ruled out of the rest of the English summer with a groin injury. Curran is an option England are considering as they figure out life after Ben Stokes.<\/p>\n
\n