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Hussain: England must dig deep to beat Windies |
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June 7, 2000 NOTTINGHAM, JUNE 6 (AP) - Despite a rare series triumph, England must dig deep and lift its game if the home side is to follow is up by beating the West Indies for the first time since 1969.
That is what skipper Nasser Hussain thinks after England managed to escape defeat in the second test against test minnow Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge on Monday.
England played well below the high standards it set in the season opener at Lord's when it trounced Zimbabwe by a massive innings and 209 runs. That win enabled the home side to secure its first home series win in two years.
Yet, in Hussain's own admission, England, was outplayed in both batting and bowling in the second test at Trent Bridge.
It was a remarkable turn around, as the Africans put behind a difficult week and increasing pressure and criticism to take honors in the rain-hit test.
England's first real test of the summer awaits them at Edgbaston when the five-match series against a rejuvenated West Indies gets underway June 15.
Following West Indies' turbulent change of guard in the last 12 months, the critics were quick to tag England the favorites.
But Hussain, a pragmatic captain, is not ready get carried away.
"We haven't beaten them for 31 years, so I only think of it in terms of football matches," Hussain said. "If a football team hasn't beaten the other one for 31 years I can't see that the next time they play, they are favorites.
"I don't think we are."
Jimmy Adams' team, fresh from a morale-boosting win over Pakistan in the final test to clinch the series, has a point or to prove too.
Once the world beaters, they are currently lying sixth of nine in the unofficial test ranking and a series win here will lift the Caribbean juggernauts for their away series against the top team, Australia.
"It will be difficult if we play like we did in this game," Hussain said. "But it will be a lot easier if we play like we did in the first test at Lord's.
"West Indies are a good side, there is no doubting that. On a good wicket they will come at you. They have got four very good quick bowlers, and we will have to improve from this week if we are going to take them on.
"If we play anything like we can, then we have got a very good chance."
Hussain stopped short of criticizing his players after one poor test match.
"You have to know the right times to give the boys a bit of a rollicking and the times not to," he said.
"You can't just continually jump on their case if they have a bad day because that won't have any value.
"Each individual has to look at their shot and say 'Did they get me out or did I get myself out?' and try and improve on that the next time they bat."
Hussain believes there is a gradual improvement in his side but feels England lacks the consistency to threaten the big names like Australia and South Africa.
"They play like we did at Lord's all the time - every time they go out," the England captain said. "It is nothing new to them. That's what test cricket is - consistency.
"As a side we're still not consistent as we should be. There are plenty of areas we can improve before the next time we put our England sweaters on." |