Seen plenty of anti-Cook criticism on social media, but there's method in his madness.
I thought perhaps he wanted to give Vince and Ballance the chance to make themselves indispensable ahead of the third Test, but then again, they may not get to the crease too quickly anyway.
You imagine Pakistan feel they've got away with one, to be honest. For a period today, I thought we may have not reached day four.
Misbah struck a well-timed half-century to anchor the visitors, on what was promising to be a dismal day for them, but he and Riaz's ninth wicket partnership of 60+ was key and frustrated the hosts.
Moeen finally found a wicket, and about time too, but we can't overlook the way Riaz targeted him. *
All the seamers found glory in the form of a wicket *but it was a shame to see the day interrupted by the weather.*
Again, Woakes emerged with added reputation and a genuine ability to change games. Remember his batting average is so strong, it can be argued he's very much an all-rounder.
The pitch did things for the seamers, and there was plenty of swerve and pace in it for England, which probably went some way to helping Cook make the follow on decision what it was. Still, can it be viewed as conservative and a little timid, perhaps? Probably. I can see why Cook did it, but i can't imagine Steve Smith, Virat Kohli et al making that call.*