Root happy to make it count against Pakistan

"There's a lot of talk in the dressing room, we want to set examples and it was nice to go on and make a big one," Joe Root said after the second day's play.

Joe Root's 254 was the cornerstone of the England innings as it posted a gargantuan total.

Joe Root was delighted with his contribution as England took a firm grip of the second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford on Saturday.

On day two in Manchester, Root made a masterful 254 - his highest Test score - as the host declared on 589-8, with Chris Woakes and Jonny Bairstow also recording half-centuries to add to Alastair Cook's opening-day hundred.

Woakes then starred with the ball in the final session, taking 3-18 as Pakistan stumbled to 57-4 at stumps, still 532 runs behind after a chastening day.

Root, whose top score in the three-match series with Sri Lanka earlier this summer was 80, made 48 and nine in the first-Test loss to Pakistan at Lord's and was relieved to make a telling contribution this time round.

"There's a lot of talk in the dressing room, we want to set examples and it was nice to go on and make a big one," he told Sky Sports.

"Recently it's not quite worked out so finally to do it is a really good feeling. Getting your team in a position like we are now, that's why you play the game.

"Those lower scores give you a lot of drive when you get in to make it count and get a really big one.

"You're always hard on yourself and looking for improvement, I've thrown it away on a couple of occasions. Maybe I didn't score as quickly but if I have to do that more often to make bigger scores [then so be it]."

Root was given a rousing reception from the Old Trafford faithful after reaching his double hundred, and the Yorkshireman paid tribute to both the crowd and all-rounder Woakes, who is fast becoming England's go-to man.

"I was a bit fired up at the time, there was an amazing atmosphere the whole day, it was really special and something I won't forget," he said.

"Every time he [Woakes] gets the ball you feel like he's going to get wickets. It's great to see him take confidence from Lord's.

"It's a very good wicket still, we're going to have to be very accurate and patient, who knows what the overheads [conditions] are going to do, so we have to be on the ball with every opportunity we get and capitalise then and there."