Nasser Hussain hails Ben Stokes after England's victory over India in Kolkata
Monday 23 January 2017 07:51, UK
Nasser Hussain hailed the performance of all-rounder Ben Stokes after England beat India by five runs in the third one-day international at Eden Gardens.
Stokes, who scored 57 not out and took 3-63 from his 10 overs, was returning to Kolkata for the first time since his World T20 heartbreak last year when West Indies snatched victory from England in the final over.
Needing 19 off the last over, Carlos Brathwaite smashed the 25-year-old for four sixes from his first four deliveries to seal the win.
England's victory on Sunday also came down to the final over where Chris Woakes kept his nerve, but Hussain was thrilled with the way Stokes bounced back at the same venue to dispel those World T20 memories.
"I wasn't that bothered about Chris Woakes because I think he's got something about him," Hussain told Sky Sports. "He's mentally tough.
"I really thought about Ben Stokes this evening, I was really pleased for him. He got runs and even though he didn't bowl the last over, the two or three overs he bowled before that were exceptional.
"What he went through on this ground nine or 10 months ago would have knocked lesser men but to see him out there putting in a performance under the utmost pressure and with the memories that were in the back of his mind, I thought it was a thrilling evening for Ben Stokes."
I really thought about Ben Stokes this evening, I was really pleased for him. He got runs and even though he didn't bowl the last over, the two or three overs he bowled before that were exceptional.
Hussain was also full of praise for England's openers, who put on 98 runs in difficult batting conditions.
The former England captain singled out Sam Billings in particular after scoring a crucial 35 after replacing the injured Alex Hales at the top of the order.
"The openers set up this victory," Hussain added. "When the ball was moving around the likes of Billings and [Jason] Roy stood up. England could have easily been 30-3.
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"Think about Sam Billings. He might have got 30 and no-one will remember it but he is someone that hasn't played a lot of cricket and he comes in and it's darting about everywhere.
"India's openers couldn't cope with it but Sam Billings coped with it. Of course the openers had a bit of luck but they deserved it."
Despite victory in the final ODI, England lost the series in India 2-1 but with the Champions Trophy on the horizon, Hussain thinks there are plenty of positives for captain Eoin Morgan and his side.
"England's batting is exceptionally strong," Hussain said. "It's the best batting line up England have ever had in one-day cricket by a country mile.
"There's still work to do with their bowling but what I liked about the bowling was that Morgan changed the tactics. Because of the wet dewy ball they were going to go short but it became a bit predictable and in about the 45th over they mixed it up.
"The bowlers learnt and Morgan's captaincy was very good towards the end of the game. There's work to do but this is a very exciting one day side."
