Chris Woakes says England must bat positively but have players to win delicately-poised first Test

"We'll definitely look at those other wins, the sort of wins where you're written off around this stage of the game. We've definitely got the ability to win, we've got the players who can do it"

Chris Woakes believes England need to bat positively but have the players to win the first Test against Pakistan in Manchester.

After giving up a first-innings deficit of 107, England's bowlers dragged the hosts back into contention as they reduced Pakistan to 137-8, a lead of 244, at the end of day three.

Woakes impressed with the ball, taking 2-11, and thinks Pakistan's bowlers could be aided in the fourth innings by a pitch that is already beginning to deteriorate - but he is remaining confident.

"It's an exciting day four ahead, I suppose. It will be a challenge," he told Sky Sports. "We've got to come out and try and knock Pakistan over without them building any sort of partnership. That would be the ideal.

"To chase this total down, I think we've got to do it pretty positively. You can't just bat out there for a long time and not expect to have one with your name on it. We don't want them to get too much further ahead of us.

"When you lose the toss on a surface like this, you're always going to be a little bit up against it, especially if there is a first-innings deficit. But, at the same time, we've given ourselves a chance."

Speaking later to reporters, Woakes said: "You always have belief - it would be stupid if we rock up thinking 'if we lose three quick wickets we're done.

"You hear a lot about records and chases but things like that are there to be broken. We'll definitely look at those other wins, the sort of wins where you're written off around this stage of the game.

"We'll draw on those experiences. Of course it's a challenge but we've definitely got the ability to win, we've got the players who can do it.

Ben Stokes led England to a stunning Ashes win at Headingley last summer as they chased down 359 to beat Australia and he boosted his team's chances of defeating Pakistan with two wickets late on day three in Manchester having come onto bowl despite battling a quad issue. ตารางบอล7m

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