Last Update on: August 20th, 2021 at 05:33 pm
Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain feels that only India and New Zealand are managing to produce high-quality batsmen in Test cricket in recent times; while the rest of the world is observing a batting demise. His opinion comes after England suffered a big loss at Lord’s in the 2nd Test match of the ongoing series against India.
While chasing a target of 272 in the 2nd innings, England had to bat 60 odd overs to draw the match. However, they suffered a big blow against the Indian pace attack, getting bowled out for just 120.
While Joe Root managed to give a 27-run lead to the hosts with his 180-run knock in the 1st innings, the rest of the English batsmen totally failed to score good knocks. Openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley have struggled to get a good opening start for England in the recent time in Test. At Lord’s, they were bowled out for a duck in the 2nd innings.
Only New Zealand And India Are Producing High-Quality Red-Ball Batsmen: Nasser Hussain
In a conversation with Mail Online, former England skipper Nasser Hussain said that only India New Zealand have managed to produce high-quality batsmen in red-ball cricket, while the rest of the international teams have failed to do so.
“This batting demise has been a long time coming. It’s not just England by the way. It’s red-ball batters around the world. It only seems to be the two World Test Championship finalists in New Zealand and India who are producing high-quality red-ball batsmen,” Nasser Hussain said.
Taking about the England vs India Lord’s Test, Nasser Hussain said that England were in a position to win the match at the start on Day 5 but still lost the game. He also feels that Joe Root, Chris Silverwood, and Ashley Giles have to come up with a plan to strengthen their batting in Tests.
“If you started with a blank piece of paper now you wouldn’t have this schedule but the problem is that every format wants to play in this chunk of summer. Joe Root has had his hands tied behind his back for over a year. That includes Covid bubbles, rest and rotation, injuries.
The most amazing thing is that when Rishabh Pant walked off at Lord’s on Monday morning, England were actually in a position to win the second Test. Joe, Chris Silverwood, and Ashley Giles need to sit down and come up with a plan for red-ball batting,” Nasser Hussain further said.
With the Lord’s victory, Virat Kohli and co. lead the 5-match Test series 1-0 after completion of two games. Both England and India will now lock horns in the 3rd Test at Headingly, Leeds. The encounter is scheduled to commence on August 25 (Wednesday).
