Hussain cast in the role of red herring (11 May 1999)

11 May 1999

Hussain cast in the role of red herring

Michael Henderson

One noise could be heard above all others yesterday, as England absorbed the unsettling fact that Essex came within two runs of beating them at Chelmsford on Sunday, in the second of three warm-up matches. It was the sound of Rover, the World Cup dog, barking up the wrong tree. On closer inspection, however, it could be seen that there wasn't really a tree there at all.

The clamour for Nasser Hussain's promotion to open the innings against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Friday, instead of either Alec Stewart or Nick Knight, was persistent and, to be frank, astonishing. Until Michael Atherton withdrew from the original World Cup party, with a recurrence of an old back injury, Hussain wasn't even a member of the party. Nor, in case anybody has forgotten, is he an opening batsman.

Now, on the basis of making 82 for his county against an attack weakened by the absence of Darren Gough and Alan Mullally, it seems he should be going in first at Lord's, ahead of two men who have greater experience of the job, and significantly better one-day records. Depending on who you listen to, his presence at the top of the order has suddenly become the sine qua non of England's campaign. What bosh.

A more sober analysis reveals that, in his 10 years as an international cricketer, Hussain has played only 28 one-day games, and scored his runs at an average of 23 an innings. Statistics never tell the whole story about a player; in this case they are not far out. He is a very good Test batsman, and a moderate one in the limited-overs game. He is a very lucky chap to be a member of this England party, and can thank Graham Gooch that he is.

The last time Hussain played at Lord's, against Sri Lanka in the final of the Emirates Trophy last year, he made nought. Knight, going in first, made 94. That doesn't close the argument but it is a more accurate reflection of their records. Knight is also a magnificent fielder, the second best - after Hussain - available to England. So let there be no silly talk of him being dropped, simply because he is out of nick. He is an important player, and only one good score away from making some people with short memories look foolish.

Nevertheless, after two years of planning for a game they must win (no ifs about it) to reach the second stage of the tournament, England have an important decision to make. Stewart and Knight are short of runs, and the selectors may come to regret the brusque way they gave Ally Brown the kiss-off. Brown, the Surrey smiter, is a hit-and-miss player (rather like Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka) but when he hits, it takes some time to fetch the ball.

It is possible that Hussain will get a game on Friday, batting at No 3. Possible, but no more than that at the moment. Until England see the pitch, which was under water recently, and mull over the little details that, taken together, determine team selection, they will not commit themselves, which means the team they put out today, against Hampshire at Southampton, should not be interpreted as the first-choice XI.

Darren Gough and Alan Mullally, who did not play at Chelmsford, will form the new-ball attack, and Angus Fraser can expect to be given another game, to convince the selectors that he deserves to start the World Cup. Fraser (knee) and Mullally (side) have been carrying slight injuries, so they have greater need of match practice than Ian Austin, who has already made a good case for selection.

David Graveney, the team manager, does not disguise the fact that "in a perfect world" England would like to have fielded their strongest side today. "The two games we've played have created more questions than answers, and there's no point in trying to gloss over that. We have a couple of areas to consider, and we're looking at all the options."

The Hussain option means pushing everybody else one place down the order, and depriving the team of a bowler. It means that Andrew Flintoff, batting at No 7, will bear a greater all-round responsibility, and, between them, he and Graeme Hick will have to bowl 10 overs. In other words, England's ability to defend a score may rest on a young man feeling his way back to full fitness and an occasional roller who gets a bowl for England once every Preston Guild. 'Gravs' is quite right. There are a few things to consider.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)