ENG vs NZ: It's Been A New-Ball Pitch- Nasser Hussain Says Of Which Side Has The Upper Hand Heading Into The Fourth Day Of The Lord's Test
Published - 05 Jun 2022, 04:32 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:08 AM
Nasser Hussain, a former England skipper, has explained why the hosts will be leading on day four of the Lord’s Test against New Zealand.
The possibility of playing the old ball, Hussain believes, puts England towards the front, since they need 61 more runs with five wickets in hand.
Hussain said on Sky Sports that both sides battled with the new ball at first and then considered it simple as it softened. As a result, he believes the hosts have a huge edge with only 61 runs to go.
“It moves in one direction and then the other. The last 2 days have followed the exact pattern: as the ball softens, the middle and lower orders can remain.”
“The only difference between the current and tomorrow is that England had the new ball today, whilst New Zealand will not have it first thing in the morning tomorrow. It was a new-ball pitch, and both teams were having to adjust to the new ball,” Nasser Hussain added.
Nasser Hussain praised former captain Joe Root for taking control:
Nasser Hussain praised skipper Joe Root for taking control and directing England to a better situation following the departure of Ben Stokes, saying:
“After Stokes left, you believe to yourself, “I want to be here, I have to be here tomorrow, I am probably the best Test match cricketer in the world right now, I will dig in.”
“I’ve got tired bowlers, an old ball, they’ve shifted it, and this one isn’t working.” He got a bouncer until his last ball and still pulled it away. Root appeared to be very game-aware” Nasser Hussain said.
Day three of the first Test at Lord’s swung England’s way after New Zealand took the lead the previous day. After England took the new ball, Stuart Broad triggered a collapse in which the tourists fell from 251-4 to 251-7. The Kiwis eventually finished with 285, leaving the opposition with 277 to win.
Root finished day three unbeaten on 77 off 131 deliveries, aided by Ben Foakes. After a string of defeats in 2021, the duo will be eager to see the hosts triumph.
Also Read: IPL 2022: Maybe They Don’t Believe That Bengal Players Can Do Well – Wriddhiman Saha
