SOMERSET'S Dom Bess impressed with the bat again for England as the hosts built a commanding lead on day two of the second Test against Pakistan at Headingley.

Having gone in at number four as nightwatchman and survived yesterday evening, Bess followed up his 57 at Lord's with 49 in Leeds as he relished the opportunity to show his batting ability from higher up the order.

The start was delayed until 2.45pm due to rain in Yorkshire, but Bess made up for lost time with a series of cracking drives as he and Dawid Malan took England past Pakistan's 174 all out.

The 20-year-old was also stoic in defence when required and looked set for a second successive Test half-century until, with just one run to get, he edged spinner Ashad Khan to Asad Shafiq to leave England 212-5.

Bess' 49 came from 95 balls and included seven fours, while it crucially laid the foundations for England's strokeplayers in the middle order.

One of those, former Somerset man Jos Buttler, was going well as the day approached the close with England's lead past 100 - click here for a live scorecard.

Having not bowled at all in the first innings, meanwhile, Bess will be eager to get an opportunity when Pakistan bat again.