Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root Dropping Catch. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Former England captain Nasser Hussain reckoned that the Ben Stokes-led side has to work on their catching and fielding skills in the remaining two games of the 2023 Ashes series. The fourth Test of the five-game series will begin from July 19 at Old Trafford in Manchester with Australia leading 2-1.
According to Hussain, the hosts could have been 2-1 or even 3-0 up in the series with better catching. The hosts have dropped as many as 17 catches and also missed several stumpings in the ongoing series so far.
“The first thing England need to do is catch better. A lot of people have been focusing on Jonny Bairstow, but the team in general have not caught well – and it’s one of the reasons they’re 2-1 down, not 2-1 up, or even 3-0 up. A total of 17 dropped catches and missed stumpings have cost England 447 runs in the first three Tests,” Hussain wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.
The 55-year-old also urged the hosts to improve their game at Old Trafford against a good side like Australia. Meanwhile, England announced their playing XI for the Manchester Test with James Anderson recalled in place of Ollie Robinson.
“It’s hard enough taking 20 wickets against a side as good as Australia, without needing to create 25 or 26 chances per game. Things have to improve in Manchester,” he added.
If Murphy plays, England can’t let him settle: Hussain
Nasser Hussain further suggested England batters to be more bold against the Aussie spinners. The 55-year-old added that if Australia play Todd Murphy, it will be difficult for them to get away from him.
“Whoever ends up bowling Australia’s off-breaks – be it the youngster Todd Murphy or the part-timer Travis Head – England will have to go after him and put more overs into the legs of the Aussie seamers.
“If Murphy plays, England can’t let him settle. They allowed him to get through his first five overs for five runs at Headingley before Stokes took him down. The same goes for Head, who does have nine Test wickets and showed at Lord’s he can do a job, but he offers nothing to fear,” Hussain concluded.