England vs India: Ben Stokes is trying to set a tone for England, says Nasser Hussain
India Today
ENG vs IND, 5th Test: Ben Stokes scored only 25 runs in England's first innings at Edgbaston before Shardul Thakur accounted for his wicket.
Former batter Nasser Hussain reckoned that Ben Stokes is trying to set the roadmap for England in Test cricket. On Sunday, July 3, Stokes tried to take the attack to the Indian bowlers, but could only manage to score 25 runs off 36 balls with the three fours.
During this while, Stokes presented India with two chances to dismiss him that the visitors didn't take. Jasprit Bumrah and Shardul Thakur dropped catches and gave the Three Lions' batter two lifelines. In the end, Stokes ran out of luck and got out to Thakur.
"Ben Stokes is trying to set a tone for England, he's trying to send a message to his team that, in doubt, they can take the positive attacking approach. So, I understand why he is batting like this, unlike Kevin Pietersen, who feels that he should bat like Ben Stokes, who is a very sensible cricketer.
"Remember the knock in Headingley, he had one run off 62 and then he smashed Australia everywhere," Hussain stated.
Hussain didn't mince words in saying that Jonny Bairstow is currently going through a purple patch, living up to the expectations of Stokes and England Test head coach, Brendon McCullum.
"Jonny Bairstow is in the form of his life. He epitomises what McCullum and Stokes want, positive, but not reckless batting. There has been no reckless batting from Bairstow this summer, he has been brilliant," he stated.
Hussain also said that if India could set England a target in excess of 300, it wouldn't be easy for the hosts, especially in the last two days of the match.
