England need to change their batting: Hussain

Hobart: Former England captain Nasser Hussain feels the top-order batsman has been very defensive in the Ashes. He advised the England batsmen to learn something from the innings of Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Jack Crowley in the Sydney Test. England, who did better with the bat to draw the fourth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), will now look to play with pride in the final Test starting in Hobart on Friday.

“The way Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow counter-attacked in that first innings in Sydney and Jack Crowley’s brilliant performance in the second innings, England’s batsmen need to learn something,” Hussain wrote in the Daily Mail.

Ricky Ponting has said that great bowlers love it when batsmen are on the defensive and there is no doubt that England’s top order has been very defensive in this Ashes.

Hossain mentioned that despite the draw in Sydney, England still need to fix things with their batting.

Talking about the playing XI, Hossain said that the fitness of Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow will be important as both are injured. If he can’t bowl, it will greatly affect the balance of the team, but still he should play as a batsman. The same applies to Bairstow. If he doesn’t play, Sam Billings can get a place in the team.”