Notts spinner Graeme Swann has hailed England’s spectacular fightback in the fourth npower Test against Pakistan.

England will hope to secure victory on day four having recovered from 102-7 to post 446 before demolishing the tourists for 74 and enforcing the follow-on.

"It's ridiculous. It keeps throwing up the strangest things ever," he said.

"We're very happy to be on the positive side of it now.

"At 102-7 we could have been staring down the barrel but Broady and Trotty batting so well counted for at least four or five of the Pakistan wickets because they kept them out in the field for four or five hours longer.

"Their openers will have been imagining facing the first few balls at lunch yesterday so still to be out there at lunch today was hard."

Broad’s 169 secured his spot on the Lord’s batting honours board – a feat his father never achieved.

"We said when I joined Trotty out there it was just important to have a clear plan of making five at a time, get to 105, 110 and just build from there,” said Broad.

“That took the emphasis off what the pitch was doing. He was unfazed, like he has been throughout his Test career.”

Broad revealed that he hopes to challenge his Nottinghamshire teammate for the coveted number eight batting spot.

“I’m desperate to bat at number eight and so is Swanny,” he said.

“Hopefully we can both score a lot of runs for England.”

Swann has match figures of 5-18 and will be keen to add to his haul as England look to take the six wickets required for victory.