England’s lackluster performance on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s has come under severe criticism from former England captain Nasser Hussain. In his column for the Daily Mail, Hussain slammed the English team for their lethargic effort and questioned their lack of intent and urgency.
Australia finished Day 1 on a strong note, with a score of 339/5. Steve Smith was unbeaten on 85, while Travis Head and David Warner also notched impressive half-centuries. Hussain was disappointed with England’s bowling attack, highlighting their subdued approach and slower ball speeds. He also criticized their fielding, noting sloppy plays and missed catches.
Hussain questioned the team’s spark and urgency, particularly in comparison to the recent Just Stop Oil protest where there was a lot of conversation. He pointed out that when rain interrupted play, the English players took their time returning to the field while the Australian batters waited patiently. According to Hussain, in such drizzly conditions, the fielding team should be rushing on the field as soon as they are called back.
The 55-year-old also suggested that England’s previous two-wicket defeat in Birmingham might have affected their performance. He highlighted the lack of zip in the surface and criticized Ben Stokes for his slow reaction to the conditions when setting the field.
Apart from their bowling woes, England struggled in the field as well, dropping two crucial catches. Ollie Robinson was particularly guilty of bowling six no-balls, while captain Stokes also bowled three. However, Hussain did acknowledge Josh Tongue’s impressive performance, considering him as the pick of the English bowlers. Yet, Tongue’s success was a rare positive on an otherwise forgettable day for England.
Hussain concluded his assessment by noting that the Lord’s Test pitch is likely to favor the Australian fast bowlers since they are quicker than England’s pacemen. He mentioned that Day 1 wasn’t ideal for a team to reach 300 with only three wickets down, but Joe Root’s timely intervention helped England diminish Australia to five wickets at the end of the day’s play.
As the countdown to the Ashes continues, England will need to regroup and come back stronger if they want to get back into the series. With criticism mounting from former players like Hussain, the team will need to show more intensity, urgency, and focus in the upcoming days of the Test. The stakes are high, and England cannot afford any more lackluster performances if they wish to challenge the dominant Australian side.
