Former England skipper Nasser Hussain feels that Joe Root and the team did an outstanding job by registering a draw.
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England did exceptionally well in the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney as they hung on for a tense draw. After having faced three consecutive defeats, they bounced back in gritty fashion. Former England skipper Nasser Hussain feels that Joe Root and the team did an outstanding job. Hussain applauded England for their outstanding performance despite facing several hardships.
Their last pair – James Anderson and Stuart Broad successfully survived the final overs to avoid going 0-4 down in the five-match Ashes series. Although the hosts had the upperhand as they were on a comfortable stage at one point, England’s experienced pair had other plans.
While writing in his column for The Daily Mail, Nasser Hussain added that England’s efforts deserved praise amid all the issues regarding injuries and COVID-19. The veteran stated that England were 36-4 in the first innings, and ensured a draw from there was a big step as well.
READ MORE: England hang on for dramatic draw in fourth Test match
“They have been through a lot and have been getting hammered because of their performances in this Ashes. So to have the strength to put on that performance at 3-0 down, without half their coaching staff and with injuries to key players, is commendable,” Hussain wrote.
“It did look like the whitewash was inevitable when England were 36 for four in their first innings, the true low point of this tour, and England had to dig very deep to pull that escape off. Yes, it’s only a draw and, yes, England were nine down at the close but it was very pleasing for all England fans to finally have something to be happy about,” he stated
Notably, it was the seventh time in Test history that England’s tenth-wicket partnership has helped them. However, the efforts from Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow were all praiseworthy.
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Nasser Hussain also opened up on opener Zak Crawley’s knock of 77, observing that his timing and shot selection both were flawless. He further added that the youngster has shown how to play in Australia. The fifth and final Ashes Test will begin on January 14 at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
“For me, the highlight on Sunday was the performance of Zak Crawley. Crawley was putting away anything loose with grace, style and timing in his 77 and that fluency was great to see after all England’s, and his own, problems at the top of the order. And it showed you cannot have a top three that are purely looking to survive. You have to counter-punch, look to be aggressive and attack these Aussies,” Nasser Hussain concluded.
