Southampton: England’s batting continues to remain their “nemesis” despite the focus being on stand-in captain Ben Stokes’ questionable decisions in the opening Test against the West Indies, feels former skipper Nasser Hussain.
England lost the series-opener by four wickets with Jermaine Blackwood leading West Indies to a memorable victory. Questions were raised even before the match began as senior pacer Stuart Broad was dropped from the crucial encounter. Stokes then handed the visitors the ball after winning the toss under grey skies, resulting in England being bowled out from 204 in the first innings. “Let’s not get lost with the Broad issue or the toss issue. England having batted first were bowled out for 204 – that is still their nemesis,” Hussain was quoted as saying by ‘Sky Sports’.
“They did well in South Africa, but in England, against the Dukes ball, they often find themselves 20-3, 30-3, and without Root in the side this week that was a nightmare. That is still the issue for England,” he added. The two teams head to Manchester to play the second Test of the three-match series, starting on Thursday, and Hussain feels England need to replicate the series-winning batting performance they put up earlier this year against South Africa. (PTI)
