So simple for Hussain

Published May 26, 2003

LONDON, May 25: Captain Nasser Hussain conceded on Saturday it was easy work leading England in home conditions after his side crushed Zimbabwe by an innings and 92 runs at Lord’s.

Hussain was delighted to win within three days after losing what could have been a crucial toss but added England still had a lot to learn.

“We are a pretty good side when it swings around but unfortunately 80 percent of cricket is played on flat tracks where it doesn’t,” he said. “When it’s swinging, it easy being England captain.”

Zimbabwe skipper Heath Streak, however, struggled to find any positives after his team went down 1-0 in the two-Test series.

“It’s very disappointing, especially when you win a toss on a wicket favourable for bowling,” he said. “Our bowlers didn’t create pressure and bowled too many four-balls.

“There were a lot of soft dismissals throughout both our innings. A lot of our guys were sparring at balls they didn’t have to play at. We can’t play with hard hands.

“We dropped a couple of catches and Mark Butcher made us pay.”

Butcher, who scored 137 and then took five wickets in the match with his occasional medium pace, was named Man-of-the-Match. He was dropped on the first day after making 36.

Streak added: “We are going to have to look at the balance of our side. There’s a lot of work to do and we are going to have to learn very quickly.”

Zimbabwe have lost their last eight Tests in a row.—Reuters

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