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Former England captain Nasser Hussain emphasized that England cannot rely solely on pace to turn the tide in the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, set for the end of 2025. Preparation for this historic contest is already underway for England.
Ahead of the first Test against West Indies, current England captain Ben Stokes highlighted their strategic approach, aiming to build a team geared specifically for next year’s Ashes series. England’s last Ashes triumph dates back to 2015, achieved on home soil with a memorable 3-2 victory over Australia. Since then, Australia has consistently retained the Ashes.
Historically, playing in Australia has been a formidable challenge for England, with the home team demonstrating significant dominance. England’s struggles are underscored by their failure to win a Test match in Australia since 2011. More troubling are the heavy defeats suffered in their recent visits, with series losses by margins of 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0 respectively.
In his latest piece for the Daily Mail, Hussain cautioned England that sheer pace alone won’t suffice in their bid for success in Australia; they’ll need skill to accompany that pace. Singling out Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood, he identified them as the assured selections heading Down Under.
“Pace isn’t everything, of course. Go to Australia and spray it around and you will go around the park. The ideal combination down under is pace and skill, as Gus Atkinson showed in the first match of the series and as Mark Wood, despite not taking the wickets he deserved, did here. England can’t afford to get to Australia and then say ‘same old, same old’. You need to find out an answer in advance,” Hussain wrote in his column.
Gus Atkinson made a stunning debut in James Anderson’s farewell Test at Lord’s, where he shone brightly by claiming 12 wickets and deservedly earning the Player of the Match award. On the other hand, Mark Wood delivered a spellbinding performance during the second Test, despite the unfortunate lack of wickets. Both bowlers are renowned for their blistering pace, making them pivotal assets on the fast, bouncy pitches expected in Australia.
Nasser Hussain lauds Shoaib Bashir
Nasser Hussain was full of praise for Shoaib Bashir’s exceptional off-spin bowling display during Day 4 of the Test match.
“Having one eye on the present but also one on the future is why England have gone for Shoaib Bashir. Not since Muttiah Muralitharan in 2006 had a spinner taken a five-for in a Test in Nottingham. And he got his rewards because he did the two things you want to see from your off-spinner — he got lovely drop on the ball to take the left-hander’s edge for the dismissal of Alick Athanaze and bowled Jason Holder with a beauty. It will have done him, and all the England bowlers, some good playing here.”
England secured a commanding victory over West Indies in the second Test by a substantial margin of 241 runs. Initially, the match had hung in the balance with West Indies holding the first-innings advantage. However, England’s batsmen unleashed their aggressive Bazball approach, amassing a formidable third-innings total.
Facing a daunting target of 385 runs in the final innings, West Indies faltered and were eventually dismissed for a mere 143 runs. Shoaib Bashir starred with a five-wicket haul for England, supported by Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson who claimed two wickets each.
