(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Nasser Hussain suggested that England, who are virtually knocked out from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, should aim to ‘spoil the party’ of the Indian team in the 29th match of the tournament scheduled to take place on October 29 at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium.
Defending champions England are on the verge of elimination from the tournament as the Jos Buttler-led outfit has managed to win only one match out of five and currently occupy the ninth spot on the points table. Whereas India are looking to lift the cup this time after 12 years as the Men in Blue are the only team in the World Cup 2023 so far to remain undefeated, having won all five matches and sitting in the second position on the table.
Former England captain Hussain commanded the current English side to show their real worth to the world by spoiling India’s party in Lucknow and ending their winning streak.
“The players must take the responsibility for this. I’m not a great one for cliches like playing for the badge but that’s what England have got to do now. They have to go to Lucknow on Sunday and spoil India’s party. They must remind India and the world just how great cricketers they have been – and still are,” Nasser Hussain wrote in his column for The Daily Mail.
He further said that leagues like The Hundred or The Blast have nothing to do with England’s disappointing performance in the quadrennial tournament and mentioned that their best players did not even take part in these leagues.
“I’ve heard people at home are doing that but this is not the fault of the Hundred or the Blast or the fact England’s best players do not play much 50-over cricket. They are just lame excuses,” he added.
Hussain also drew a comparison between India’s Virat Kohli and South Africa batter Heinrich Klaasen with England players. He acknowledged that Kohli and Klaasen did not play their own domestic 50-over cricket competitions and still, they are at the top of their game by learning from their T20 franchises.
“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,” Hussain said on Sky Cricket.