"Ben Stokes and Co shouldn't have an excuse culture.."- Nasser Hussain

Former England batter and captain Nasser Hussain has suggested the English contingent led by Ben Stokes to not mutter even a single word against the spinning pitches in India when the 5-match Test series kicks off in Hyderabad from January 25 onwards.

Nasser Hussain while writing for his column on Daily Mail claimed that England must get over the excuse culture if they want to perform well in the series and also asked them not to make comments like ‘unfair’ or ‘not good for Test cricket’ if the ball starts to spin from Day 1.

The 55-year-old who has 4 centuries to his name against India in red-ball cricket, affirmed that the pitch and conditions are going to be the same for both sides and it will spin big like it did when England last came in India for a Test series 2020/21.

“It will be very important, too, for England not to have any sort of excuse culture. If it does spin big like it did last time – certainly after England won the 1st Test – it will be the same for both sides. There can be no muttering about it being unfair or not good for Test cricket.” – Nasser Hussain wrote.

The Three Lions will be aiming to grab their first Test series win here since 2012 and also try to overthrow the sheer dominance imposed by the hosts in the longest format since then. An Alastair Cook-led England had clinched the 4-match series by 2-1 over a decade ago and current skipper Ben Stokes might as well take learnings and inspiration from them to script something historic.

England’s philosophy of Bazball will be put to the test for the first time in India since its inception and it is going to be a series to remember. Just to tell you, Rohit Sharma’s side are on a streak of 16 consecutive Test series wins from 2013 and a dominance like this at home has never been seen before.

Nasser Hussain Backs Ben Stokes, Joe Root, And Ben Foakes To Dominate Against Spin

Nasser Hussain went on to claim that the onus will be on batters like Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Ben Foakes to dominate against the Indian spinners who will not be reluctant to make life difficult for the visiting batters. Hussain emphasized the defensive technique of Stokes and Root against spin and asked the duo to have an attacking flair but also make sure to survive for long hours.

Hussain also stated if the ball spins a lot then England should back Ben Foakes, another good player of spin, to be included in the playing XI especially now that Harry Brook is not going to be a part of the tour. Lastly, Nasser Hussain stated that Johnny Bairstow and Ollie Pope should be included as specialist batters.

“Stokes and Root, in particular, have a really good defensive technique against spin so they should not be so keen to attack that they become reckless. Yes, back yourself to put the bowlers under pressure but make sure you survive that first half an hour. I’d play Ben Foakes particularly now Brook is missing and England can fit in both Ollie Pope and Johnny Bairstow as specialist batters.” – Hussain concluded.