Wednesday 15 April 2015 23:42, UK
Nasser Hussain says Alastair Cook must score runs in the remainder of the series in the West Indies otherwise his Test place will be under threat, after the England captain was out for 13 in their second innings.
England stumbled to 52-3 with Cook and Jonathan Trott (four) both falling cheaply again, dismissed during a terrific opening spell of swing bowling from Jerome Taylor (2-12).
“There is extreme pressure on Cook,” said Hussain. “The situation is no different, there was pressure before this game and even more now.
“But he should be under pressure – he hasn’t got a Test match hundred for two years now, his last in May 2013 at Headingly against New Zealand.
“He has got a couple of games to try and turn it around and not just get a few runs, get a stack-load.
“But his technique is all over the place at the moment. He can find a way, never write off Alastair Cook – in fact he’s at his most dangerous when you do – but he’s not playing well at the moment.
“In fairness there was a little bit of spice in the pitch this evening, it seemed to liven up and that spell from Jerome Taylor was absolutely brilliant.
“But people should be asking questions about Cook.”
Despite England’s initial struggles, a 64-run partnership between Gary Balance (44no) and Joe Root (32no) – with an equally valuable effort to his one in the first innings when England also lost early wickets – helped England to 116-3 at the close and a lead of 220.
Hussain says they must be positive on day four, looking to declare with enough time to win the Test.
“This evening England fought back and are now in a very strong position,” added Hussain. “Tomorrow is just about kicking on and buying some time to get 10 wickets.”
“The one advantage England have is they have five bowlers and you could see with the West Indies today, with only four bowlers – and Sulieman Benn isn’t bowling that well – they struggled.
“England have that fifth bowler so they’ll always be fresh, always be raring to go.
“Historically on tours out here, England have batted on a little bit too long. In the Caribbean you need as much time as possible to bowl the opposition out, so sometime after tea tomorrow, 400 ahead, have a go at the West Indies.
“It’s only a three-Test series so if you’ve got a chance of winning, you’ve got to take it.”
Watch day four of the West Indies versus England live on Sky Sports 2 from 2.30pm on Thursday.
