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England 'Test futures are on the line'

Former skipper lays down the challenge to England ahead of must-win Test against Pakistan at Headingley

England captain Joe Root says his side has a "point to prove" as they look to square a two-Test series with Pakistan, while his predecessor Alastair Cook says "Test futures are on the line" at Headingley.

Root's men could be without Ben Stokes in Leeds after the allrounder suffered a tight hamstring during fielding practice on Wednesday.

Stokes will now undergo a scan to assess the full extent of the injury and is set to face a fitness test before England decide whether he can face Pakistan when the series finale starts on Friday.

Uncapped teenaged Surrey seamer Sam Curran has been called up as cover for fellow paceman Stokes.  

"Of course if Ben's fit we want him in the side, he's one of our best players, he brings a lot to the table and offers so much to this team," Root told Sky Sports.

Pakistan claim resounding victory over England

Pakistan won the first Test by nine wickets at Lord's inside four days to go 1-0 up in the series, but Root believes the fact his team are back in action less than a week later will benefit them. 

"I think it helps us getting straight back into it, not having too much time to think about things," he said.

"It was very clear where we needed to improve from last week. We've had some good preparation, the guys have really worked hard and now it's just doing it, going out and proving a point, putting a really strong performance in as a group and showing some pride in the badge."

Lancashire's Keaton Jennings has been recalled to the top of the order in place of the dropped Mark Stoneman to partner Alastair Cook.

While Stoneman has already lost his spot, others might join him out of the side if Pakistan are able to sweep the series. Former skipper Michael Vaughan this week called for one of veteran paceman Jimmy Anderson or Stuart Broad to be dropped, while coach Trevor Bayliss is under increasing pressure having gone eight Tests without a win.

Cook, England's all-time leading run-scorer, didn't sugar-coat his side's predicament in a column for Sky Sports.

"Test futures are on the line," Cook wrote.

"If you want to play cricket for England, you've got to deliver, otherwise we'll be looking for other employment. That's the nature of the beast and, fundamentally, we're not producing out in the middle.

"But we have to stick together as a group. The last thing you can do is play the blame game, and the trick is now to not carry the negatives from the first Test with us to Headingley."

Bess, Buttler keep England's hopes alive

The skipper backed Jennings to improve his Test record having been recalled in place of Stoneman.

"He will be desperate to take his opportunity," Root said of the left-hander.

"Every player in this side wants to make an impact this week. Every time we play a Test match there are all sorts of different pressures that come with it and for Keaton it's a great opportunity. 

"I hope he looks at it that way and goes out and expresses himself in his own way."

Root has found himself under pressure for a failure to convert fifties into Test hundreds, but he insisted he felt good about his game.

Rampant Pakistan leave England reeling at Lord's

"When you are winning and performing well you have to keep churning out those performances and when you're on the other side of it you've got to make sure you turn it round," Root said.

"As always I've gone into practice, felt if there were any areas I wanted to work on and got them done so I can go in full of confidence tomorrow and know I've given myself the best chance. 

"It's nice to have that feeling going into any game."