Ashes 2015: James Anderson 'exceptional', says Nasser Hussain
Saturday 11 July 2015 10:34, UK
Nasser Hussain described James Anderson’s new-ball bowling performance as ‘exceptional’ on day three of the first Investec Ashes Test.
Seamer Anderson took 3-43 to help bowl Australia out for 308 as England took control on a thrilling day at Cardiff.
With the tourists dismissed, England then rattled up 289 in their second innings to set Australia an Ashes record victory target of 412.
Former England captain and Sky Sports pundit Hussain praised the contribution of Ian Bell, who returned to form with a very useful 60, but felt the groundwork for what is a very strong position was laid by the bowlers.
"From the first ball that went down, they were full and attacking and then with the older ball they contained well," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"It was a balanced attack, you had the good swing bowlers and then (James) Anderson’s spell with the new ball was exceptional.
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"He’s highly skilled with inswing and outswing and we’ve seen it for a number of years. Brad Haddin didn’t know what to do with him."
There have been some murmurs of discontent about the slowness of the pitch at Cardiff but the play has not been dull, and Hussain is relishing the prospect of a positive result in the first match of the five-Test series.
“It has been a brilliant three days, I have to say," he said. "There was so much hype and expectation about the Ashes and when I saw that first over go down on Wednesday morning and two rolled along the ground, you thought ‘it could be a boring, sort of turgid draw’.
"But we are not going to get that and we have not had that."
Attention will again turn to the England bowling contingent as they bid to take the 10 wickets which will give the hosts the early advantage in the series.
Hussain is confident they can dismiss the Aussies, and feels spinner Moeen Ali will be a vital player in what remains of the contest.
"I am confident and more importantly I think England are confident," he said. "All eyes are going to be on Moeen Ali and if he can contribute then I have full faith in the four seamers to produce the goods."
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