Former England captain Nasser Hussain shared his views on the current situation of the England cricket team led by Ben Stokes after their massive 434-run defeat to India in the third Test in Rajkot.
Hussain believes that England must address the shortcomings of their aggressive Bazball approach to bounce back from the heavy defeat and try to win the remaining two games of the ongoing five-match Test series in India.
The commentator wants Stokes and his team to stick to their aggressive style of play but feels they should reflect on their performance and make necessary adjustments ahead of the fourth Test against India, which is set to be played on February 23 in Ranchi.
Nasser Hussain wrote in his column for Daily Mail: “It's one thing stopping an opponent's momentum in a home series, and England's record at home - even against Australia - is superb. In India, it isn't as good. But if they do want things to change, it can't just be a matter of 'this is the way we play, we aren't questioning ourselves'.”
He continued, “They've had 18 months of incredible success and this isn't the time to move away from their philosophy. It's a time for introspection. It's a time for the basics - taking your catches, and making big scores in the first innings. That is how India has found themselves 2-1 up, with two to play.
If England doesn't consider tweaks, Bazball just becomes a cult that can't be questioned. I am not asking them to alter their mantra, just to review the last couple of matches and ask themselves: how can we improve?”
Speaking about England's early mistakes in the Rajkot Test that cost them the game, Hussain wrote: “Joe Root dropped a catch offered by Rohit Sharma at 47 for three that would've put a completely different complexion on the game had it stuck.”
The commentator further explained, “England put down several chances, and poor fielding generally allowed India to post 445, but it would have been another story for Sarfaraz Khan on debut had he walked in with India four down on the first morning rather than in the evening at 237 for four.
Another pivotal moment came with England 224 for two on the third morning when Root played that reverse sweep. Now, I don't have a problem with him playing that stroke, because it's one he's executed very effectively in the past. But, when Ravichandran Ashwin is missing, Ravindra Jadeja is being eased back into cricket by his captain. When Root's nemesis of recent times in Jasprit Bumrah is playing his third Test in a row amid talk of needing a rest, I would question the timing of it.”
Hussain signed off by saying, “Bazball is not attack, attack, attack. Occasionally, you must absorb pressure and this was a time to do so, forcing Bumrah into a second spell, making Jadeja bowl more and more. An opportunity for England to make India really miss Ashwin. When the opposition have a bowler down, recognise the opportunity to grind out a score and boss the game.”
(With IANS Inputs)
