‘Can’t hide behind Bazball!’: Hussain slams another England batting collapse

NEW DELHI: The opening day of the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala saw another England batting collapse as the visitors skittled out for a lowly 218 in the first innings against India.
Despite starting strongly in the morning, England had a woeful post-lunch session where they lost wickets in a cluster and India spinners Kuldeep Yadav and R Ashwin reigned supreme.
With the likes of Ollie Pope (11), Joe Root (26), Jonny Bairstow (29) and Ben Foakes (24) failing to build on their starts and skipper Ben Stokes (0) flopping yet again, former skipper Nasser Hussain seemed pretty upset with the performance of the batters.
Highlighting the fact, England missed out on another opportunity to build on a strong start, Hussain said that the team cannot get behind their ultra aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach.
“Missed opportunity, definitely in the last two matches. They had the opportunities to win those games and they didn’t. The second session between Lunch and Tea today was probably the most disappointing session for England on this tour. From 175 for three to 175 for 6, middle order blown away. It has become the repetitive nature of England batting and it has become concerning,” said Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports.
“I think with the batting approach England players need to look at their own games and try to improve. Whatever is your plan, whatever your coach or captain says, the best players, the greatest players like Ravichandran Ashwin, they try to improve, they try to get better.
“Zak Crawley has batted better but has been out between 50-80 the sixth time, Jonny Bairstow trying to counterattack getting to twenty-thirty and getting out. Ben Stokes has not been able to read Kuldeep Yadav from the wrist, he has hardly contributed with the bat. The struggle is real with the bat, not the conditions.
“Whatever coach, skipper or anyone suggests, the most important suggestion is for England batters to look upon themselves rather than listening to others. Enhance your own thought process on how to become a better cricketer. Hopefully, by the end of the tour, everyone will look at themselves and say, right, don’t hide behind Bazball and the mentality and try and improve your own game,” said Hussain.
India reached 135 for one at the close of play on Day 1, riding on openers’ half-centuries.
India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal for 57 late in the day as skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill walked back to the dressing room unbeaten on 52 and 26 respectively.