In the lead-up to their forthcoming clash with India in the World Cup 2023, former England captain Nasser Hussain has issued a fervent call to action, urging Jos Buttler and his team to end India’s remarkable winning streak.
With England enduring a challenging tournament, having lost four out of five matches, the pressure is mounting for them to showcase their cricketing prowess and reclaim their competitive edge.
Writing in a recent column for The Daily Mail, the 55-year-old underscored the players’ accountability for the team’s performance, dismissing external factors such as The Hundred.
“The players need to step up. I’m not a big fan of clichés like playing for the badge, but that’s what England must do. They must go to Lucknow on Sunday and disrupt India’s party. They need to show India and the world how great cricketers they have been—and still are,” he emphasized.
Hussain dispelled excuses linked to the domestic structure, asserting that England’s 50-over system is as robust as any other country’s.
“I’ve heard people blaming The Hundred or the Blast, or the fact that England’s top players don’t play much 50-over cricket. But these are just weak excuses,” he added.
“How often do Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play 50-over cricket? What about Heinrich Klaasen? Players worldwide gain experience from T20 franchise cricket, while our players benefit from a domestic structure that played a crucial role in making them the best white-ball side globally,” he concluded.
As England gears up to face India on October 29th, led by the undefeated Rohit Sharma, the English team will seek to draw inspiration from their historical head-to-head record, where they have emerged victorious in four out of eight matches against India.
The match at Lucknow, renowned for its spin-friendly conditions, presents a fresh challenge for England, who have yet to compete in an ODI at this venue.