Nasser Hussain, the former England cricket team captain, expressed his dismay at England’s performance in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, highlighting that he had never witnessed such a poor display from the team.
He emphasized the importance of tactics, team dynamics, and toss decisions in cricket. However, he stressed that the ultimate key to success, especially in a World Cup, is the exceptional performance of the players.
Following England’s eight-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, Hussain criticized the strategies employed throughout the tournament, particularly the decision to bat first and the reversion to an all-rounder approach.
With England’s position slipping to ninth in the World Cup points table after four losses in five games, criticism arose regarding the limited focus on 50-over cricket in the English domestic season.
Hussain strongly defended the existing cricket structure, pointing out that in-form batters like Virat Kohli and Heinrich Klaasen do not rely on domestic 50-over cricket but rather gain experience through participation in T20 franchises worldwide. He considered any assertion to the contrary a lame excuse.
“How much 50-over cricket domestically has Virat Kohli played? Or Heinrich Klaasen or anyone out here? They don’t play domestic 50-over cricket, they learn from T20 franchises around the world. That’s what’s made this great side over the last six years, travelling round the world playing T20 franchises. It’s such a lame excuse,” said Hussain.
Furthermore, Hussain held the team management responsible for the confusion surrounding the exclusion of opener Jason Roy from the squad to include the middle-order batter Harry Brook.
