England were wrong with so many little things, says Nasser Hussain
Former England captain Nasser Hussain has criticized the way England have used their resources during the ongoing third Test against India by not starting with the right players. Hussain also felt that the Test series is all but over and Cook will be left to rue missing so many chances.
Nasser Hussain is considered to be one of the strong characters in the dressing room during his days as England's captain, and the former batsman has not held back with his remarks by pointing out the flaws in England's gameplan in the ongoing third Test at Mohali against India.
“England
Hussain also felt that the Indian batsmen applied themselves brilliantly after losing three quick wickets near the end of the day 2 to post a strong total in the first innings, giving themselves a lead of 134 runs.
“Apart from that short spell after tea on the second day when they lost three wickets they put the pitch into context and showed that if you apply yourself you can get runs. For the first three days it's been a lovely wicket,” the 48-year old said.
The former skipper stressed that the first innings of the Mohali Test has cost the Englishmen as they gave away easy wickets to the Indian bowlers.
“If England
Hussain also praised Jayant Yadav, who contributed with a half-century in the first innings and got the important wicket of Jonny Bairstow in England's second innings, while also taking a dig at England's decision to go with 39-year old Gareth Batty.
“I am not convinced that the decision to play six bowlers has worked here either. What has Gareth Batty given England that Moeen Ali couldn't have done if he'd bowled more? The contrast with the contribution of India's third spinner Jayant Yadav has been enormous.”
“In these cooler conditions in the north of India I don't think any of England's bowlers would have walked off tired with the exception of Stokes and they could easily have played an extra batsman or another seamer here,” he further added.
Hussain also felt that the bowling changes Alastair Cook made in the Test match were one of the reasons for England's failure.
He explained: “There is so much talent in this England side and I would have given my right arm as captain to have someone like Stokes in my team but they have got so many little things wrong in this Test and been so sloppy.”
“For example, Adil Rashid had four wickets and had Umesh Yadav, a man he's got out three times, on strike at the start of an over for the first time. But then Cook took him off and bowled Moeen when it could have done Rashid the world of good to get a five-for.”