Ashes 2017/18: Nasser Hussain Believes England Must Draw a Plan to Taste Success on Away Tours

Former England Captain Nasser Hussain believes England needs to start building a team which can win away from home when the ball stops moving, and the spinner should be a part of that plan. England has already lost the Ashes and Aussies are looking forward to wrapping up the series 4-0 on the fifth day of the final Test.

Australia took a 313-run lead in the first innings courtesy centuries by the Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh and Usman Khawaja. England bowlers had a hard time in the middle in the first innings as they were out in the field for 193 overs and could only take seven Australian wickets. England have bowled more than 1000 overs in the five-match series. In comparison, the Aussies have bowled 700 overs.

England batsmen had a dismal start to their second innings as they were reduced to 93/4 at stumps on day four, which leaves them on the brink of an innings defeat on the final day of the match. Nasser Hussain feels that the Australian batsmen still have to prove themselves when there is lateral movement but England are one-dimensional without it.

Hussain said:

 “The Australian batsmen still have plenty to prove though. England have not got 20 wickets in any Test match in this series and they look a very one-dimensional side when the ball isn’t moving around, this Australia batting line-up is similar.”

“They are very good at home when the ball is not moving around, they have been pretty flat pitches with a Kookaburra ball but what they need to put to bed is the idea that when there is any kind of lateral movement, whether it be seam and swing like we see in England, spin in India – even Bangladesh where they drew the series last year – that they struggle, playing with hard hands and hitting through the ball.” 

Talking about the England side he said:

“As for England, everyone knows the step up to Test cricket is hard but what really frustrates me, and it reflects poorly on county cricket really, is the repetitive nature of people’s dismissals when they come into the England side. England are a one-dimensional side that can win well at home, they beat South Africa and the Windies convincingly in the summer, but the moment the ball starts moving around they are a one-dimensional side. Just look at the amount of overs they have bowled in the last two Test matches.”

“They need to start developing a side to win away from home when the ball is not moving and Mason Crane – or whoever, a spinner – needs to be part of those plans. Crane has to start in New Zealand, he has to be given a chance in the two Tests out there.”

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