For any future Lord's Saturdays, the shrewdest strategy would be for Hussain to call in sick.Before he was hit Hussain had not batted fluently. His 64, which took six hours and eight minutes, was a triumph of application over uncertainty. There were eight boundaries, and Hussain's presence toughened the spine of England's formidable innings. He came in when the score was 105, and when he was out England were on 307.
His stand of 130 with Thorpe could eventually be seen as a match-winner. Hussain was pleased to have stayed so long, but he must wonder when his touch will return for he is a touch player.There was only one person at Lord's yesterday who would have taken any pleasure at the broken digit and that is Hussain's wife, Karen. She is expecting a child in two weeks time, and Nasser, who would normally have expected to be in Manchester, can now be present at the birth.. For years, England merely gave the impression of being leaderless and were usually hopeless. Now, for the third consecutive summer, they will actually be without their captain, and yet they look robust, purposeful and equipped for the challenges ahead. For years, England merely gave the impression of being leaderless and were usually hopeless.
Now, for the third consecutive summer, they will actually be without their captain, and yet they look robust, purposeful and equipped for the challenges ahead. They could have done without Nasser Hussain breaking his right thumb on the third day of the first Test at Lord's yesterday but, apart from his visit to hospital for an X-ray which confirmed that he will be out for four weeks, their progress against Pakistan was unimpeded. Hussain, who made a porridge of a bouncer from Shoaib Akhtar, was unable to take the field but England still secured a commanding position, albeit one which was diluted late in the day.After making their highest score against Pakistan in 11 matches on the ground no mean feat considering both that they were put in and that most of the previous teams were more illustrious England's opening bowlers then made swift incursions into Pakistan's top order. It was another opportunity, perhaps that should be yet another opportunity, for Darren Gough and Andrew Caddick to display what a potent force they have become as a partnership.Gough was quick on a sluggish pitch and as bold as an inventor in his willingness to experiment in pursuit of his wickets His associate was at the peak of his form. It was a disappointing winter for Caddick on the sub-continent, although he eventually recog- nised that his role there was one of containment rather than ensnarement, and he has promised himself and others that he would be back in his pomp on the pitches he loves best.He was not kidding. He bowled marginally short of a full length and achieved disconcerting lift and late movement away from the bat It was high-class bowling from a high-class bowler. Pakistan, not knowing whether to play back or forward, were guilty of doing neither.If England are playing harder cricket now, they are also conducting themselves with a smile. It has been noticeable during the two days of play in this match that mischief and mayhem is never far from their minds You can tell that from their eyes and their lips.
