Former England captain Nasser Hussain has emphasized the need for the current English team, led by Ben Stokes, to abandon any inclination towards complaining about pitch conditions during the upcoming five-match series in India.
Hussain believes that adopting an excuse-free mindset is crucial for England to secure victory in a country where they remain the last visiting side to clinch a red-ball series win.
While reflecting on England’s historical success in India, where Alastair Cook’s team triumphed 2-1 in a four-match series in 2012, Hussain acknowledged that recent performances have been lackluster. Despite attaining a series lead in their 2021 tour after a win in Chennai, England faltered as Team India rallied back with three consecutive victories to seal the series.
In his column for the Daily Mail, Hussain stressed the importance of England avoiding any excuse culture, especially if the pitches favour spin, as was the case in their previous tour.
“It’s crucial for England to avoid making excuses. If the ball spins big, just like it did in the past, especially after England’s initial Test victory—it’s a level playing field for both teams. No complaints about it being unfair or not good to Test cricket should arise,” wrote Hussain.
The question of whether England’s aggressive approach will be effective on Indian rank turners has been a topic of discussion leading up to the series.
Hussain believes that an argument can be made for their aggressive style but advises players with strong defensive techniques against spin to prioritize settling in and value their wicket.
“Stokes and Root, especially, possess strong defensive skills against spin. They shouldn’t be overly eager to attack and risk recklessness. While it’s essential to back themselves and pressure the bowlers, surviving the initial hour and a half is crucial, “he added.
While England has experienced success with their revamped approach, their biggest challenge yet awaits in the conditions of India. Having thrived on flat surfaces during their 2022 tour of Pakistan, securing a 3-0 whitewash, the English team faces a different test against the spin-friendly pitches in India.
