Jos, Dom keep Eng alive

Jos Buttler and Dom Bess shared a spirited century stand to save England from a humiliating innings defeat by Pakistan in the first test at Lord's on Saturday.

The pair came together with the hosts reeling at 110 for six, 69 runs behind the touring side and heading for their first loss in a May test at the home of cricket inside three days.

Buttler, recalled to the side, and debutant Bess calmly added 125 runs in the evening sunshine to put England 56 runs ahead and take the match into a fourth day, although Pakistan should still complete a deserved victory on Sunday.

They added 13 runs to their overnight 350 for eight to extend their lead to 179 and quickly started running through England's brittle batting line-up.

Alastair Cook, who top-scored with 70 in the first innings, was trapped lbw by Mohammad Abbas for one and Mark Stoneman, under severe pressure for his place in the team, made a scratchy nine before he was bowled by leg-spinner Shadab Khan before England limped to lunch at 37 for two.

The packed crowd was stunned into silence as Buttler walked out to the middle and Root was next to go, snared lbw by Abbas for 68 and failing to get the decision overturned on review.

Buttler and Bess clung on till tea, however, and played sensibly in the final session.

SCORES IN BRIEF

England: First innings 184 

Pakistan: First innings 363 (Babar 68 retd. out, Asad 59, Shadab 52, Azhar 50; Stokes 3-73, Anderson 3-82)

England: Second innings 235 for 6 (Root 68, Buttler 66 not out, Bess 55 not out; Amir 2-35, Abbas 2-36)