Tuesday 26 July 2016 15:10, UK
Nasser Hussain hailed Joe Root's man-of-the-match winning double hundred as one of the greatest innings he's seen by an England batsman.
Root's first-innings 254 helped set the base for England's emphatic 330-run win over Pakistan in the second Investec Test at Old Trafford.
"It was absolutely phenomenal," said Hussain. "I like big comments, and it was one of the greatest innings I've seen from England batsman, ever. It was a joy to be here and watch it.
"The most impressive thing was him saying after the first Test at Lord's, 'I can get better'.
"Even though he's a seriously good player, and averages 52, he still believes he can get better.
"There was a sense that some people thought Joe should just carry on playing the way he does - an attitude of that's the way he plays, so it doesn't matter if he gets out.
"But Joe looked at himself and said 'no, that's not just the way I play. I can put away one or two shots, like the big booming drive across him, or the slog-sweep. I won't give my wicket away'."
Root added further to his run tally for the Test with an unbeaten 71 off 48 balls in the second innings as England declared at 173-1 early on day four with a 564-run lead.
The hosts then dismissed Pakistan for 234 to earn a series-leveling win, with the four-match series now tied at 1-1.
"Pakistan have to be careful, because England on a roll are a difficult side to stop," added Hussain. "Against India a couple of years ago they went 1-0 down and then went on to win the series comfortably.
"This was a completely different Test to the last one at Lord's which could have gone either way, right until the end.
"This one, once England had mastered the Pakistan bowling and their leg-spinner in particular and had runs on the board, you always felt the Pakistan batting line-up would crumble, and it did so in both innings.
"Full credit to the England bowlers for making it crumble on what was still a pretty flat pitch.
"It was fitting that Chris Woakes took the final wicket, because he was the one lad that didn't deserve to be on the losing side at Lord's, having taken 11-for. He has bounced back with his team brilliantly here."
Watch highlights of day four on Sky Sports 2 from 8pm, then stay tuned for The Verdict at 9pm on the same channel.
