Ashes 2021-22: "England Can Draw Inspiration From India's SCG Heroics" - Michael Hussey

Former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey has said that England can draw inspiration from India’s heroics at the SCG heading into the final day of the fourth Ashes Test at the same venue. England require another 358 runs on day five to win the fourth Test match. They have already lost the series trailing by 0-3 at the moment.

The England openers ended day four on 30 for no loss. They have the herculean task of saving or potentially winning the Test match on the final day. With Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes and Joe Root in the line-up yet to come, the visitors have enough batting to come still. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Hussey, said that the England batsmen can take inspiration from how Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari batted a majority of overs to help India save the Test match on the final day in Sydney.

“This is what we love about Test cricket, you never know. Everyone had written India off last year. They were on their last leg, they were injured, but they found their spirit inside and I think England can draw from that.”

Michael Hussey further said that if England can draw the Test match it will be a great legacy to tell to the side’s next generation of players. He further said it could serve as a great inspiration for the team as well.

“There are some other great stories in there as well – Zak Crawley and Hameed possibly playing for their careers. So there’s plenty of motivation for the English to show that spirit and fight,” Hussey said.

There Are Some Great Stories To Tell: Michael Hussey

However, the former Australian cricketer still believes that Australia are favourites to win the Test match from here, but backed England to give a good fight.

“I’m not going to write them off yet, but it’s going to be very difficult. There are going to be big challenges along the way. The pitch is certainly not as good as it was last year and the Australian bowlers are probably a bit fresher than they were this time last year. So it’s in Australia’s favour without a doubt, but England I’m sure will not go down without a fight,” Hussey concluded saying.

The fifth and final Test match in Hobart is scheduled to being from January 14.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: “Not Expecting To Play The Next Test Match”-Usman Khawaja On Playing Hobart Test