Nasser Hussain highlights concern for England despite first Test win over Sri Lanka
Photo : X (previously Twitter)
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- England registered a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Test
- Nasser Hussain highlights concern for England before second Test
- Hussain speaks about Ollie Pope’s captaincy in absence of Ben Stokes
Joe Root‘s unbeaten half-century guided England to a jittery five-wicket win over Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the first test at Old Trafford on Saturday. Chasing a target of 205, England had a shaky start before significant contributions from Harry Brook and Jamie Smith rescued them and Root (62 not out) eventually got the job done for the hosts.
Though England won the first Test and took a 1-0 lead in the three-test series, they suffered a major setback as right-arm fast bowler Mark Wood was ruled out of the remaining matches against Sri Lanka.
Wood suffered a right thigh muscle strain while bowling in the second innings. He had an exceptional start to his spell in the second innings, getting the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne off his first ball, but pulled out of his run-up in the 56th over, and left the field.
The pacer didn’t bowl again in the game and was eventually ruled out of the series against Sri Lanka with a muscle strain. Wood has been replaced by Leicestershire pacer Josh Hull for the second Test.
Hull is a left-arm seamer, who recently featured in the England Lions fixture against Sri Lanka, and picked five wickets at an average of 14.8. He has been a pivotal figure in Leicestershire bowling attack in recent times, playing a crucial role in their 2023 domestic One-Day Cup victory.
Former captain Nasser Hussain believes managing the fitness of their seamers is going to be a tricky task for England this summer.
“It is going to be a tricky one for England heading to Lord’s. They have an abundance of seamers but not fit ones, because there are a lot of injuries right now. You think Stone will come in for Mark Wood, that will be a straight swap,” Hussain told Sky Sports.
“Chris Woakes is a fabulous cricketer and a magnificent cricketer at Lord’s – his record there with bat and ball is phenomenal – but, physically, he was struggling with his groin or something on day four at Old Trafford.
“They have won four from four this summer, they’ve just tinkered with Bazball… they have been pretty smart. There will be harder Tests ahead but they are playing some good cricket,” he added.
Hussain also spoke about Ollie Pope‘s captaincy, who is leading England in the Sri Lanka series in absence of injured Ben Stokes.
“Ollie Pope won the Test. And that’s all you’re judged by as an England captain. Win what is in front of you – and against a very good Sri Lankan side,” the noted commentator said.
“When you looked down on the side, you could see the plans he was setting and he didn’t look flustered. It didn’t look like there were 10 captains out there which sometimes you can get with stand-in captains,” he added.
The second Test between England and Sri Lanka will be played at Lord’s from Thursday (August 29).
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