Nasser Hussain Reckons England's Batting Their Biggest Nemesis

Nasser Hussain, former England captain, has reckoned that the home sides’ batting is a bigger issue than Ben Stokes decision to win the toss and bat first or dropping Stuart Broad in favor of Mark Wood.

England were bundled for 204 in their first innings and then went on to lose the Test by 4 wickets after West Indies chased down 200 in the fourth innings to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

“Let’s not get lost with the Broad issue or the toss issue. England had batted first were bowled out for 204 – that is still their nemesis,” said Nasser Hussain as quoted by Sky Sports.

“They did well in South Africa, but in England, against the Dukes ball, they often find themselves 20-3, 30-3, and without Root in the side this week that was a nightmare. That is still the issue for England,” he added.

“They are going to a good surface at Old Trafford. Root is back and they have to bat like they did in South Africa this winter and at points in New Zealand. Not by being 204 all out. Sometimes as a captain you have to say ‘I back my side to get 300 on this’ but England fluffed their lines again with the bat after winning the toss,” he reckoned.

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“I would have Crawley at three”- Nasser Hussain

With Joe Root slotting back into the side for the 2nd Test at Old Trafford, either of Zak Crawley or Joe Denly will have to make way for the English captain.

Nasser Hussain said that while Joe Denly hasn’t been a disaster at No.3, Zak Crawley, who scored a brilliant half-century in the second innings of the first Test should bat at No.3 in place of the 34-year-old Denly.

“I would have Crawley at three, not just because of his runs and improvement but also his tempo. I sometimes look at the top three of Dom Sibley, Rory Burns, and Denly and they are a bit one-tempo. Crawley is a little bit busier – even when he opened in South Africa he got Sibley going a little bit and South Africa were ‘hang on, the run rate is going up a little bit’. I like Crawley at three,” Nasser Hussain said.

“Denly hasn’t been a disaster – he has won games for England, been very consistent, been a stop-gap but I think it is time to move on with the youth,” Nasser Hussain added.

The second Test between the West Indies and England will start at Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday.

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