Nasser Hussain said England’s bowling was superb on day two of the first Test in the West Indies.
The home side finished 155-4 at the close of play in Antigua, but things could have been better for England as Ben Stokes picked up a wicket late on only for it be overturned as it was a no-ball.
Even so, Hussain was encouraged by what he saw from England’s five-man attack and Stokes in particular.
“They were brilliant today,” he said. “I know the scoreboard doesn’t completely reflect that but if it hadn’t been for Ben Stokes’ no-ball, 155-5 on a really flat pitch would have been very good.
“The captaincy was great, the catching excellent, and the bowling was superb.
“The way Stokes adjusted after bowling his first spell at the Curtly Ambrose end when he didn’t have any rhythm at all, was brilliant.
“He sent down three or four full tosses, was kicking out bits of grass like Angus Fraser used to all those years ago, but he switched to the other end and he had rhythm and pace.
“He was absolutely charging in – a little too much in fact for that no-ball.”
Because of his no-ball, Stokes actually finished the day wicketless, with the four strikes shared among the rest of the attack, including Stuart Broad who picked up a key wicket in Marlon Samuels for 33 after a spell of cross-seam deliveries and cutters.
“Broad was very clever today,” Hussain added. “It’s a pitch to role your finger down the side of the ball on and bowl cutters, they will grip.
“It wasn’t completely flat today but England will have to work hard to get anything out of this pitch.”
Shiv Chanderpaul (30no) and Jermain Blackwood (29no) put on a 56-run partnership to close out the day and Hussain stressed England must stay patient tomorrow morning.
“Up front tomorrow, England must keep to their discipline,” he said. “It is not a pitch where you’re going to blast the opposition out.
“Jimmy Anderson is your trump card, so you look after him. And with 17 Test matches in nine months, in general you have to look after him going forward because he is absolutely brilliant and vital for England.
“They’ll bowl him a little in the morning – start with your best two bowlers – and then save him for the second new ball.
“[James] Tredwell has done a pretty good job, so you can rotate the quicks in that first period tomorrow, try and get Chanderpaul out.
One man Hussain forgot to mention was Chris Jordan who also took a wicket – that of Darren Bravo for 10 – and produced a stunning catch to dismiss Kraigg Brathwaite (39) – but he echoed Bob Willis’ sentiments on the Sussex fast-bowler in the studio.
“Jordan were both absolutely terrific. He kept his line superbly after a shaky start, much more controlled in his run-up and accelerating a little bit more through his delivery stride.
“The two all-round cricketers, Jordan and Stokes, who are important guys for this England team going forward, both had good afternoons.”
Watch day two of the West Indies versus England live on Sky Sports 2 from 2.30pm on Wednesday.