Hussain survives searching examination
Australia 405-5 dec v Essex 16-1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nasser Hussain was given a taste of the summer to come here yesterday evening.
Having personally ensured the England captain had spent most of the day chasing leather, Australia's acting captain Adam Gilchrist gave Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie nine overs in which to examine Hussain's technique.
Having been squared up by McGrath in the opening over and edging just short of the six-strong slip cordon, Hussain hooked Gillespie for six to fine leg to get off the mark. Otherwise it was a case of hanging on in there, which he did. There will be more, much more, of the same this morning.
Earlier Hussain had seen Australia's openers fail again, which, given the number three can't currently buy a run, might in any other team represent a chink in the armour. The difference of course is that the Australian middle order is so formidably strong they can afford to wait for the others to find form.
Half an hour after lunch Australia were on 154 for 5, and it could have been worse for the tourists if the home team had taken all their chances. Matthew Hayden, Mark Waugh and Ricky Ponting were all dropped in single figures, and Justin Langer failed again.
Lurking down the order at number seven, however, was the destructive Gilchrist. Having played himself in with ominous deliberation, he announced his intentions by taking 14 off one Peter Such over, including a huge straight six hit with the economical power of true excellence.
Ninety minutes later Gilchrist pulled Justin Bishop dismissively to the boundary to go to his century. It had taken him 110 balls and contained 14 fours and two sixes, while he was dropped once by the young wicketkeeper James Foster, a straightforward edge from a defensive push at Such.
Foster, touted as one of the best young wicketkeepers in the country, also missed Damien Martyn when he was on nine, a stumping chance off the unfortunate Such. It proved a costly miss as Martyn also went on to his hundred, accumulated with deceptive speed as Australia passed 400.
By then Essex were a shambles, a state of affairs by all accounts reflected in the dressing room. Their prolific overseas player Stuart Law is missing this game with a broken finger and is less than happy at being put under pressure to play in front of the county's biggest crowd for nearly four years. Expect a move to Lancashire at the end of the season.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments