The wicket was not as bad as the one in June but presented enough challenges for the MCC to call in specialists

The performance of the Lord’s pitch during its previous Test, against New Zealand in June, was so appalling that it was followed by an apology from the MCC and a scathing unsatisfactory rating from the International Cricket Council.

The MCC got ahead of the game in this Test by issuing a statement early in the fourth innings, reassuring us that “independent specialists” were “confident that there are solutions to improving pitch quality and performance”.

• Team have faced off-field scandals over the last year

• Root: ‘It’s hard to win Test series so enjoy it’

Joe Root has called on his players to “celebrate in a sensible, grown‑up way” after they secured a first multi‑game series win since 2024 by beating Pakistan at Lord’s to take a 2-0 lead with one to play.

England’s recent opportunities for celebration have often resulted in scandal and Root intends to end the scandals rather than the celebra­tions. “It’s important we’re not ­talking about [off-field matters], absolutely,” he said. “But it’s hard to win Test matches, it’s hard to win Test series, so enjoy it and celebrate it, but in a sensible, grown-up way. It’s been a really good start to, I don’t know what you want to call it, this new team.”

• England all-rounder ‘desperate’ to establish himself

• Lawrence hits second fifty of Pakistan series at Lord’s

Dan Lawrence said he was “desperate to establish myself in an England shirt” after taking some solid steps in the right direction on a rain-affected third day of the second Test against Pakistan.

In a chill breeze and with frequent interruptions from the weather, the battle for England’s batting spots heated up in the continued absence of the injured Jacob Bethell. Emilio Gay’s hard-fought 31 was ended by a grubber before Lawrence scored his second half-century of the series – matching Jordan Cox on that metric – to put England in control, 177 for seven at stumps to stand 357 ahead.