"It's the brand and style more than just the role" - Nasser Hussain's sensational comments on England squad for Sri Lanka Tests

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain opened up about the Ben Stokes-led team for the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka at home. Nasser Hussain also shared his thoughts on middle-order batter Dan Lawrence replacing Zak Crawley as the opener for the red ball series against Sri Lanka.

England announced a 14-member squad for the series against Sri Lanka. Zak Crawley and Dillon Pennington were ruled out of the upcoming home series. Crawley fractured his right little finger during the third Test against the West Indies. Pennington suffered a hamstring injury from ongoing The Hundred 2024.

Jordan Cox received his maiden call-up to the national team following his impressive performances in the County Championship. The first match is set to be played at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, starting on August 21. England will play the second match at Lord's in London from August 29 to September 2.

It Is A Specialist Role - Nasser Hussain

Speaking to Sky Sports, Nasser Hussain said that the opening is a specialist role. Hussain mentioned that Ben Duckett has had success as an opener despite playing attacking cricket against a moving ball. He highlighted the England team management's preference for attacking players.

"Well, it is a specialist role, you'd think, but you never know with this management setup. They're not so worried about the role; they're worried about the type of cricketer, and Dan Lawrence fits that type of cricketer perfectly," Hussain said.

"Ben Duckett obviously had done it a little bit for Notts. Can someone who doesn't leave an outside off stump as a left-hander, in Test match cricket in England against the Dukes ball, be successful in England? And he has been. So they see the type of player Dan Lawrence as the type we want, and you see in the whole squad there, they've moved up someone to open who's an attacking player," he added.

They've Brought In Jordan Cox - Nasser Hussain

Nasser Hussain highlighted that Jordan Cox was surprised by his inclusion in the Test squad. The cricketer-turned-commentator while talking about Olly Stone noted that England prefers express pacers over medium-pace bowlers. He added that team selection is based on brand and style more than just the role and individual names.

"They've brought in someone in Jordan Cox, who himself yesterday said, 'I thought I was near the white ball side, not so much near the Test side', and Olly Stone again fits the brand. They don't want a medium-dober; they want someone with pace to come in, and that's exactly what they've got with Stone. So it's the brand and style more than just the role and individual names."

England's pace attack includes Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Olly Stone, Matthew Potts, and Gus Atkinson, who was the Player of the Series against the West Indies. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir will be the specialist spinner in the team. Ben Duckett will have a new opening partner in England's next Test match.

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