Hussain pleased with England turn-around

Cricket365
August 10, 2014

Former England captain Nasser Hussain was impressed with the way England dominated the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, saying they performed consistently well to win within three days.

England won by an innings and 52 runs to take a two-one series lead heading into the final Test, and Hussain gave credit where it was due after being very critical of the side after the first two Tests.

Hussain said on <i>Sky Sports</i>: "It really is a phenomenal turnaround from England, I think they've lost half a session in the last eight days of international cricket. That's brilliant from Cook and his boys.

"They've won inside three days, and we lost a couple of sessions yesterday; so they've won in two-and-a-half days on a pretty good surface.

"India can't argue 'we didn't do very well first up' – England can now say we bowled you out when it was doing something and we've bowled you out when it's flat."

Hussain then joined the growing chorus of praise being sung for all-rounder Moeen Ali, whose spin efforts have come along in leaps and bounds this series, and he took four wickets in the second innings.

Hussain added: "It has been quite a team effort with Moeen Ali. They've backed him and now the skipper is backing him after treating him initially as a bit of an after-thought.

"From what we hear, Ian Bell has worked with him quite a bit in the nets about the pace to bowl. It is still a learning curve for Moeen but India's record against off-spin of late is horrendous.

"Moeen Ali is showing them up, which is remarkable really given the way India as a nation has played spin over the years. To get out once to Moeen Ali is clumsy; to do it twice either shows that he is a little bit better than they give him credit for, or they don't play off-spin very well.

"India have not been very street-wise playing him. All credit to Moeen for the way he's played but it has been a bit sort of 'block or slog' with India.

"Over the years they've had great players who have manoeuvred the ball with their hands, which makes the spinner bowl different lengths. Moeen Ali has just been able to plug away at a length and they've not been able to get him off it.

"I'd still say there's a lot of potential in this lad with his batting. He's got a bit of an issue against the short ball but if he can work that out, he could be a very, very good cricketer for England. He is improving and learning."