England’s chances of reaching the Super 8 stage of the Twenty20 World Cup diminished significantly after a 36-run loss to Australia in the Group B match at Kensington Oval and former captain Nasser Hussain believes Will Jacques’ bowling decisions are in control – The game was a huge mistake for the defending team.
After Moeen Ali’s economical opening over, Jacks targeted Australian openers David Warner and Travis Head, using the short boundary to score 22 runs in their over
Mark Wood also conceded 22 runs in his over and Jacques was not given another chance to bowl as Australia posted a daunting 201 for 7. England could only manage 165/6 in reply.
“Australia outclassed England, it was a complete team performance. A total of 201 was too many on that pitch, even with that short boundary. The decision to bowl Jacks backfired but I didn’t like how they were too slow to go to their slower balls and cutters. I saw them obsessed by blowing away opposition with pace and I think it was a pace-off pitch and they didn’t adapt quickly enough,” said Hussain to Sky Sports Cricket.
Michael Atherton Echoes Concerns Over England’s Bowling Strategy
Former England captain Michael Atherton also agreed with Hussain’s sentiment. “I thought Jacks’ decision to bowl was fantastic on double count, as England went fast with their line-up with Wood and Jofra Archer.”
“And also because Jacks is pretty inexperienced and the type of off-spinner that is quite floaty. It could have paid off against the lefties but it was a high-risk strategy and one that cost 22 runs. Australia showed why they are feared as a tournament team,”
Nasser Hussain also highlighted the absence of left-arm fast bowler Reece Topley, who could have been effective in Barbadian conditions with his slower ball and cutters He suggested that Topley would have been better than the fast bowlers , skiddier like Wood, because batsmen like to pace off the ball in these situations.
“Topley is a better option for Barbados and these conditions than quicker, skiddier bowlers like Wood. If I am batting here I want pace on the ball not pace off. When Stoinis, Cummins and Hazlewood rolled their fingers down the side of the ball in the England innings the batters couldn’t get it away,” Hussain said.
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