Nasser Hussain during the 2nd ODI Royal London One-Day match between England and India at Lord’s Cricket Ground. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took over the responsibilities in red-ball cricket, England have been a very difficult side to beat. They have revolutionised the longest format by playing an aggressive brand of cricket, having defeated New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa in the past, while finishing 2-2 against Australia in Ashes 2023. Meanwhile, their upcoming challenge against India is considered to be the most challenging one, as the Ben Stokes-led side doesn’t have enough experience in playing in spin-friendly conditions.
Former England skipper Nasser Hussain warned the side about the challenging conditions in India. He mentioned that the hosts are waiting for the series and are ready to put Bazball to bed. He believes that if India produce good spin pitches, the Rohit Sharma-led side will walk out with a win but if they make it extremely spin-friendly, England can come into effect as well.
“India are waiting. There has been a lot of talk about Indian cricket, and there has been a lot of talk about Bazball, and the two of them are just about to meet. A lot of Indian fans are waiting to see Bazball and put it to bed,” Nasser Hussain said on Sky Sports Cricket.
“If the Indian management asked for good pitches that spin, then I think their spinners and batters will out-spin and out-bat ours. If they ask for pitches that are a bit of lottery, and it turns huge, then I think it brings England’s spinners into it as well,” the 55-year-old said.
If it spins, then Root becomes England’s most important player: Hussain
Hussain believes that if the pitch offers assistance to the spinners, Joe Root and Ben Duckett will be very important for England, as they are excellent players of spin. He reminded that Ben Stokes too is a magnificent player of spin and added that the visitors won’t be just pushing and prodding like the last time.
“If it spins, then Root becomes England’s most important player. Duckett as well,, also Stokes is a magnificent player of spin and their mindset as well. As we saw in Pakistan, where different pitches, did not spin much at all. Low, slow, and they get 500 in a day or whatever. So, don’t expect what we saw last time where batters are just pushing and prodding,” Hussain said.