Nasser Hussain, the former captain of the England cricket team, has joined the chorus of voices trying to decipher the enigma that is Steve Smith. Despite Smith’s astonishing records in Test cricket, the 55-year-old believes that the Australian batsman remains a puzzle yet to be solved, as evidenced by his century against India in the World Test Championship final at Kennington Oval.
Smith, known for his remarkable performances against England over the years, played a gritty innings against India, setting up a resounding victory. With an average of 60.71 in English conditions and 59.69 against the English team, the 34-year-old continues to trouble his opponents. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Hussain remarked that Smith has an uncanny ability to adapt and succeed, regardless of the strategies employed against him.
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“Nothing has changed, as we saw in the first innings at the Oval against India. Just because he was dismissed leg before wicket three times in county cricket doesn’t mean suddenly he’s an easy wicket. England, like all other teams, have tried different tactics against him, but he keeps piling on the hundreds. He remains an unsolved puzzle, and that’s why his statistics are extraordinary.”
Hussain emphasized the importance of dismissing David Warner early in the series, as the explosive opener can quickly change the course of a game in Australia’s favor. He also expressed confidence in Jonny Bairstow’s potential impact on the series, highlighting the significance of his batting and wicketkeeping skills.
“David Warner is crucial for Australia. If England can get him out cheaply, they might have a chance to face Labuschagne and Smith when the score is 20 for two instead of 150 for two, and that could be a turning point. Bairstow’s contributions with the bat and gloves will be vital, especially with Ben Foakes omitted.”
Bairstow, who recently returned to action after a leg injury, played as the wicketkeeper in the one-off game against Ireland. Although he did not bat, his keeping skills were put to the test. Discussing Ben Stokes, Hussain commended his commitment to playing aggressive cricket and not settling for draws. He expects Stokes to make bold declarations during the Ashes series, aligning with the team’s focus on making Test cricket entertaining.
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“He has stayed true to his word from the beginning when he told Ian Ward on Sky that he wouldn’t play for draws. He even assured me of it. Whether Brendon McCullum would tap him on the shoulder on the final day and say, ‘Let’s win the Ashes,’ I don’t know. But they have been consistent in their belief that making Test cricket entertaining is of utmost importance. Therefore, I believe Stokes would declare in such situations.”
As for his prediction for the series, Hussain anticipates a closely fought battle, with a potential scoreline of 3-2, favoring England. However, he acknowledges that Australia, having won the World Test Championship final, is a formidable side, making the outcome uncertain. The Ashes drought has persisted for England since 2015, and they will be eager to reclaim the coveted urn.