Former England captain Nasser Hussain was shocked by the omission of veteran pacer James Anderson, saying England could have gone with a more balanced bowling attack against India in the first Test of their five-match series.
India will be taking on England in the first match of the series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday, January 25. England named their starting XI on Wednesday, and surprisingly did not include their all-time leading Test wicket-taker Anderson.
Speaking ahead of the match, Hussain said England could have gone with more balance in the side in regards with experience. Anderson has picked 690 wickets in 183 Test matches for England, averaging 26.42 while bowling with an economy of 2.78.
“Do you think that inexperience maybe as well has led to the four spinner option? You’ve obviously got Leach. Like you said, haven’t bowled since June. July. You’ve got the two inexperienced lads in Hartley and Rehan Ahmed. You could have gone with more balance in the side,” said Hussain.
He went on to say that Anderson has a good track record in Indian conditions, while adding that England might’ve gone with three spinners because they feel the surface will offer turn. The 41-year-old has picked 34 wickets in 13 Test matches in India.
“You’re leaving out one of our greatest ever cricketers in Jimmy Anderson. Our greatest ever bowler has a good record in the subcontinent. I would like a more balanced bowling attack. But I guess with Rehan Ahmed’s second test match, partly debut, Leach not bowling for a long time. They just feel they need three because obviously looking at that surface, it’s going to turn,” Hussain added.
