As the ICC World Cup 2023 unfolds, former England captain Nasser Hussain offers a stern message to the Jos Buttler-led English team. With a recent defeat against Afghanistan, Hussain believes there’s no room for complacency if they wish to defend their title.
England faced a surprising 69-run defeat against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This loss and a rocky start to the tournament have raised concerns about their title defense.
One key point raised by Nasser Hussain is the potential return of all-rounder Ben Stokes. Stokes had missed the first three matches of the tournament due to a hip injury sustained before the opening game against New Zealand. Hussain strongly believes Stokes should return to the squad for the upcoming matches.
“For Jos Buttler’s team, there is no wiggle room now. They have to win every match from here on if they want to keep the defense of their title in their own hands,” Nasser Hussain said.
Hussain’s message to the English team is crystal clear: there is no wiggle room. They must win every match from here on to keep their title defense within their control. Hussain emphasizes the importance of treating every game as a World Cup final, starting with the encounter against the in-form South Africa in Mumbai.
“That means them playing their best XI and acting like every game, starting with facing the in-form South Africa in Mumbai on Saturday, is a World Cup final. That means Ben Stokes has to come back in if he is fit. I sincerely hope England were not holding him back here thinking ‘it’s only Afghanistan,” he continued.
The challenge lies in balancing the playing XI. Hussain suggests that Ben Stokes and Harry Brook should be included, potentially at the expense of one of the bowlers. While Stokes is earmarked for a return, Harry Brook’s impressive performance against Afghanistan adds another layer of complexity to the team selection.
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“The problem with the Stokes recall is that the man he is earmarked to replace in Harry Brook is playing well. I would play them both,” Hussain further stated.
Brook demonstrated excellent form against the Afghan bowlers, scoring 66 runs from 61 deliveries, including seven boundaries and a six. This performance puts England in a favorable position but also poses selection dilemmas.
The upcoming match against South Africa is pivotal for England. They must demonstrate their best form and resolve to bounce back from recent setbacks and secure victory.
