IND vs ENG: Nasser Hussain Lauds Joe Root And Jonny Bairstow -"You Cannot Bowl To Those Two At The Moment"

Nasser Hussain, a former England batter, noted that Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow barely ever played “Bazball” cricket during their 269-run stand that helped England defeat India by seven wickets. The two only played traditional shots, according to Hussain, and are almost impossible to bowl to right now. 

At Edgbaston, England completed their best run chase in Test cricket with seven wickets remaining thanks to Root and Bairstow’s outstanding partnership. When the hosts fell to 107-3, the two joined forces and continued to be undefeated to help their team win with twin hundreds. 

Nasser Hussain Hails English Batting Pair Of Joe Root And Jonny Bairstow

Hussain said in his blog for Sky Sports that he had not seen two England batsmen in such excellent form for a very long time and was relieved that they played traditional cricket. The former England batter said: 

“The form that Jonny Bairstow and Root are in – I can’t remember a pair of England cricketers being in such form for such a sustained period. I will be perfectly honest, it’s not really Bazball.  

He added: 

“The way they are playing is just what normal Root and Bairstow can do. Every time they have taken a risk, they have nailed it. They have been so smart, so sensible. You cannot bowl to those two at the moment. That’s how good they are.” 

In the five-Test series against India, Joe Root scored 737 runs at 105.28 with four hundreds to win the player of the series title. In contrast, Bairstow struck two tonnes at Edgbaston against India. 

More Difficult Times Ahead: Nasser Hussain

The former England captain referred to the victory against India as “amazing,” but he cautioned that they still face more difficult times ahead. He further said: 

“There will be difficult times, where fourth-innings run chases will be tougher than they have been this summer. England will make mistakes and they will have to learn from them. This win over India was remarkable. To do it once it is remarkable, to do it four times on the bounce is unbelievable, it really is.” 

The limited-overs games against India will be England’s primary concern, with the first T20I taking place on Thursday. 

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