Nasser Hussain praises Stuart Broad for late burst at Headingley - Cricket News Update
Former England captain, Nasser Hussain, praised Stuart Broad for his heroics on the final day of the second Test match, where his five-wicket burst set off a South African batting collapse during the post lunch session at Headingley.
With rain washing out the best part of day 4, and further ruining any chance of a result, Broad’s impressive effort on day 5 sprung the game into life. He took full use of the swing and seam movement to halt the hosts at 258 for 9 after they were comfortably placed at 182 for 3.
Broad triggered the shift in the final hour of the second session where he dismantled the tourist’s middle-order by picking up 4 scalps off just 20 deliveries. He caught AB de Villiers and JP Duminy lbw on successive deliveries and further pinned back Vernon Philander with a ball that nipped in sharply before taking the all-important wicket of Jaques Kallis with a well directed bouncer. He then rounded things off by sending back Morne Morkel, leaving his side to chase 253 in 39 overs.
Hussain was highly impressed with the rhythm of the bowler and was further pleased to see the English attack finding ways to trouble the Proteas batters. He also highlighted Broad’s importance to the team as a game-changing player.
“Stuart Broad located the kind of rhythm that can make him so dangerous,” former English skipper said.
“People were wondering if Broad should have been left out of this game after South Africa’s run-fest at The Oval. I thought that was ridiculous. He’s in the team precisely because he can produce game-changing spells,” the former top-order batsman said.
Hussain believes that the late-damage done to the visitors might give a psychological advantage to the home side which will look to level the series at Lord’s, while further backing Broad to keep his new-found momentum going at the ‘home of cricket’ where he already boasts an impressive record. The pacer averages 51.66 with the bat and has claimed 36 wickets at 27.75 in 8 Test matches.
“And that’s crucial going into the final game at Lord’s, where he’s taken 11 wickets in a Test this summer and where he’s scored runs in the past,” said Hussain.
The all-important clash starts from August 16.
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