Graveney praises England skipper for handling pressure

Staff and Agencies

December 12, 2000

Nasser Hussain showed real grit and determination in putting his own poor form and bad luck to one side to lead his side to their first Test series win in Pakistan for almost 40 years, David Graveney has said.

"He's done very well and I know he has been batting under extreme pressure when his own form hasn't been as he would have wished," said England's chairman of selectors.

"We always thought we could have a chance of winning the series if we could get a score on the board in our first innings.

"Decisions have gone against him and I think he's done a fantastic job of being captain of England and I think everyone was delighted with the way he contributed in that finish.

"We realised it was going to be an enormously difficult challenge going into a series played in foreign conditions against different types of bowling," he added.

"But we have shown ourselves capable of standing up to this type of challenge now."

Despite England's success, both Graveney and Hussain have hinted that changes could be in order before the Sri Lanka tour gets underway at the end of next month.

Both Ian Salisbury and Graeme Hick struggled with their form throughout the tour and selectors will be looking hard at their choices for Sri Lanka.

Graveney continued: "I was due to speak to Duncan between the tours, and that has been the case since we announced the squad last season.

"We have reserved the right to make some rearrangements if and when it was thought necessary.

"We will obviously pool our ideas over the coming days and go from there."

Graveney's predecessor Ray Illingworth, normally one of England's harshest critics was also full of praise for Hussain's efforts in pulling his side together.

"It is a tremendous win, whichever way you look at it," he said.

"This is a bloody good win, to get the better of them out there."

"They were under pressure down the order - but they came up with some important runs.

"I always tried to tell the tailenders it was important they score a few runs. If you try to impress on them to get 10 that is the way to start.

"I think they got it wrong by preparing the wrong wickets - putting all their hopes in spin," added Illingworth, who won his only series as captain against Pakistan in 1971.

"With Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in the side they would have been better tackling it with seamers. It would have been a more interesting series too."

England have been made 3-1 shots to win next year's Ashes Series against Australia by William Hill, who have already installed Nasser Hussain as 8-1 favourite to land next year's BBC TV Sports Personality of the Year Award.

© Cricinfo

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