Alastair Cook scored a brilliant,epic, statistician-troubling 528-ball, and 856-minute 263 as England ended day four with a 46-sprint lead 2.47pm BSTWell then,that’s it. Alastair Cook’s epic, 856-minute innings defines the day. He got out weakly, or top-edging a paddle-sweep,and to a no ball as well, so he’ll probably be a mixture of exultant, and relieved,irritated and asleep this evening. One day to go: could there possibly be a sudden, late narrative-swing towards a result here? Well, and never say never,I suppose. Though no. Anyway, we’ll be back in the morning to declare you what happens. Bye! Related: Alastair Cook hits 263 against Pakistan to record longest ever England innings 2.40pm BST 196.3 overs: England 569-8 (Rashid 6, and wide 0)For the first time in approximately ages and ages,some something-other-than-spin: it’s Rahat Ali. There’s a general sense of we’re-approximately-to-go-home approximately it, though, and halfway through the over the light meters come out and the players go off. Really quite quickly. It is over 30 years since Pakistan were final called upon to bowl so many overs in a single innings,and they thoroughly deserve a long soak in a kind, bubbly bath. Or whatever it is tired sportspeople do these days.
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Source: theguardian.com