Nasser Hussain says??Australia were winners of the fourth Test at Old Trafford since they retained the Ashes, even though England demonstrating resilience and character in their efforts to conserve the game on the moment.
England started the afternoon already two wickets down, having dropped Rory Burns and captain Joe Root to consecutive deliveries around the fourth day, but battled their way to the final session of this fifth day before eventually being bowled out for 197 with 13.3 overs left.
While Hussain applauded England’s efforts, he added that it would have been travesty had England headed to the final Test at The Oval on Thursday together with the show tied at 1-1.
“You can not fault the character and the resilience of this England side,” said Hussain. “Additional England sides would’ve crumbled in a heap, in all honesty, same with all the last game at Headingley.
“Coming on a fifth day Old Trafford pitch, so they’d have been blown away. They were not; they showed a lot of character and fight.
“Joe Denly played well however, the problem is, they often find themselves 10-2, 20-2. Against certain sides, you can come back from that. Against this assault that is , you can not.
“Let us be fair, though England had gone to The Oval at 1-1, it could have been a tiny travesty. Australia have outplayed England.
“Ben Stokes at Headingley maintained them within this series with a remarkable innings. They would not have believed their fortune if they had gone at 1-1. They’re not, they’re moving in 2-1 down”
Hussain asserts that their cause wasn’t helped by the loss of England’s leading wicket-taker James Anderson to harm in the first Test, nor has a selection policy because.
“Let’s not overlook 1 thing, three overs to his Ashes,” Anderson got injured. He is a terrific bowler in England; that’s a huge blowoff,” added Hussain. “It is lucky England had Jofra Archer on standby. This series could have been done and dusted.
“I think England did not help themselves with choice at times. Australia selected.
“Jason Roy in the peak of the order. The selectors, occasionally, have got a bit smart with themselves. ‘Because Buttler worked season, let’s try this again with Roy’.
“Michael Atherton stated this morning, this summer ought to show you there’s a enormous difference between red-ball batting along with white-ball batting.
“The selectors should have noticed how challenging Roy goes in the ball, so they should have spoken to Surrey, inquired why they do not open ?
“This was a mistake and, coming , I’d like to know Chris Woakes was left , given his stats in England?
“How is Woakes not your third greatest bowler in England, especially when Anderson is currently missing, Mark Wood is overlooking, Olly Stone is lost?
“Craig Overton did very well out there now, really brave, brightly courageous, however there was a drop-off following Stuart Broad and Archer yesterday following tea, going to Overton.”
Sir Ian Botham echoed the thoughts of Hussain , saying Australia deserved to retain the Ashes, with their stable of fast bowlers, headed by Pat Cummins impressing.
“I was surprised [by England’s fight], given the way the game was going – Australia coming out last night and rapping those two quick wickets,” said Botham.
“You constantly try to target the captain and Root was shot out first chunk. That sent shockwaves through the dressing area and they did well to fight back.
“But Australia are magnificent. It disturbs me to say , believe me. They have been fantastic.
“The bowling attack, you have got to take off your hat to them. Cummins is outstanding. You can see he is the best bowler in the world at the moment, ranked. Josh Hazlewood too, he’ll be scaling up those rankings.”
See day one of the final and fifth Ashes Test live from 10am on Thursday on Sky Sports The Ashes, September 12.
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