Sir Alastair Cook
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Emilio Gay got a couple of short balls that got him out in that New Zealand series, so that will be the next test

But that ball there as an opening batsman around the wicket, challenging the off stump, a rock solid forward defence played under his eyes, that is something to work. That's a good starting point.

A bit more experience at this level and I would like a score and there's no better chance to get a score than in the next two or three hours of play.

Pakistan have a fielder in an unusual position exactly square on the off side but only four pitches away from the batter. He's right in the firing line for a cut shot and it would have to be some catch to take anything that is middled.

Mohammag Imran is struggling to control the swing.

Sir Alastair Cook
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Emilio Gay's played really nicely. He loves that cover drive, doesn't he? It seems to be his strongest shot.

I like how late he defends the ball and it's the first time for a while that we've had a really competitive bit of play.

He's definitely a run-getter when he gets in. He seems to have that real stubborn and strong will to make it count if he can. He's shaped up nicely. I would say he's confident and intense.

The ball where he tied his shoelaces but he wanted to do it quickly, so he didn't hold up play, that gets a little tick for me. He's done enough to get on that tour from this innings.

Emilio Gay is beaten outside off stump again, this time by Mohammad Ali. He gives himself a talking to afterwards, repeats the shot, scratches at the crease and returns to his work again.

Image source, Getty Images

One of Harry Brook's standout features is his ability to score against good-length pace bowling. Across this series he's scored 72 off 114 good-length deliveries at a strike-rate of 63, the best for any top seven batter alongside Saud Shakeel (62 strike-rate).

Strike-rate against good length (6-8m) pace this series:

• 63 - Harry Brook
• 62 - Saud Shakeel
• 37 - Average of all other top seven batters

Mohammad Imran has been the less impressive of the two Pakistan seam-bowling debutants so far today but he bowls a good ball from round the wicket to Gay here.

England's opener is beaten on the outside edge as he pokes forward.

Harry Brook has been quiet, you could say un-Brook-like, since tea.

Injured batter Jacob Bethell is at Edgbaston today and currently watching from the dressing room. It'll be his return to fitness that'll cause a logjam at the top of the order in South Africa.

This is Emilio Gay's final Test before that tour. He tucks a couple off his hip in this over as Edgbaston snoozes.

Isa Guha
Former England bowler on Test Match Special

Joe Root will be pretty pleased with the way things have gone. Although I imagine he's a little bit relieved that it's not been as competitive, so he has been able to settle into it.

He has shown authority, especially in the field and he will be happy that the bowlers have gelled together. Now he wants the batters to do the same but these two have stabilised things.

Thanks Sam. Emilio Gay is building towards a score that could confirm his winter plans but, after scores of 57, 33, 31 and 31 previously in his Test career, we have been here before.

It'll be Mohammad Ali after drinks.

The players are taking drinks and England are in a very strong position thanks to this partnership, currently worth 65, between Emilio Gay and Harry Brook.

They're looking good for a big first-innings lead again. To see how much of an advantage they can gain before the close, I'll leave you in the capable hands of Matthew Henry.

Babar Azam has packed the covers with fielders with Emilio Gay on strike, he knows that is the left-hander's favoured area.

He still manages to take a single into that region but has to scamper through.

Harry Brook then flicks to fine leg for one to bring up the 100 for England.

Gay then shows he is more than capable of scoring through the leg side as well, whipping a half-volley through mid-wicket for four.

More questionable running from Emilio Gay.

This time the single is definitely on as Harry Brook drops the ball pretty much at his feet but Gay does what he did early - not run his bat in and just prod his bat down.

It means despite being well home, a direct hit might have done for him.

Emilio Gay has played a couple of very elegant drives today and here's another one.

Meeting the ball at the top of the bounce and caressing it through point for four.

Mohammad Imran has a cunning plan to stop him repeating the trick... losing control of the ball in his delivery stride and sending it backwards!

Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

Anything could happen here now. Harry Brook is in the mood. He's looking for anything short and he wants to whack it into the Hollies.

Pakistan have seen plenty of Brook in the last few years and he is starting to tick. They will have plenty of memories of what he can do.

Mohammad Ali is back on to replace Razaullah Khan, who ends a memorable first spell in Test cricket with figures of 1-28 - one expensive over making up a sizeable chunk of those 28 runs conceded.

Harry Brook had been getting a little frustrated but this should help, a flamboyant drive over the off side for four.

He adds another boundary next ball, this one tickled fine as Ali strays to leg.

Emilio Gay has left or defended 63% of the pace deliveries he's faced this summer, you'd have to go back to Dom Sibley in 2020 (68% left or defended) to find the last English opener to register a higher percentage in a home summer.

Very tidy over from Mohammad Imran, just a bye from it.

He's hovering around the 80mph mark but has been very accurate in his two overs so far.

Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

I'd be reluctant if I were Babar Azam to bring Razaullah on for another over because you'll need him for another burst tonight.