Nasser Hussain says England captain Ben Stokes’ obvious rebuke of some members of his squad following the second Ashes Take a look at reminded him of Jurgen Klopp’s administration strategies.
After England went 2-0 down in Brisbane final week following a second heavy defeat to begin the five-Take a look at collection, Stokes mentioned that his dressing room is “not a place for weak men”.
Whereas Stokes mentioned in a separate interview that his gamers weren’t “weak”, the skipper seemed to be questioning the mentality of his squad.
Analysing England’s state of affairs forward of the beginning of the third Take a look at in Adelaide on Tuesday, Sky Sports activities pundit and former England captain Hussain drew a comparability with former Liverpool boss Klopp, who he interviewed for a 2023 documentary.
“It reminded me of, I did that leadership documentary with Jurgen Klopp and that quote from Klopp about how he manages, and his relationship with his players, that he’s their friend, but he’s not their best friend,” Hussain mentioned on the most recent episode of the Sky Sports activities Cricket Podcast.
“What he means by that’s, ‘I will all the time be there for you till I really feel you are letting me down, after which I ain’t your buddy anymore’.
“That is what I obtained from Stokes’ press convention on the finish there – I’ve sorted you, I’ve backed you, I’ve even pushed you on this course’.
“Let’s be honest, he’s even asked them to play (like that), he went out and played like that.
“So, he is taken them on this course to play like this and now they don’t seem to be assessing conditions and never dealing with stress like he handles stress and assesses situations and conditions completely. A few of them aren’t.”
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Captain Ben Stokes insists England haven’t given up hope of profitable The Ashes – however admits his aspect haven’t been in a position to stand as much as the stress Australia have utilized on them.
‘Skinny choices’ create ‘downside’ for Stokes
England had been in a robust place within the first Take a look at in Perth earlier than a second batting collapse of the match gifted Australia victory inside two days.
In Brisbane, a massively disappointing fielding efficiency that included 5 dropped catches in Australia’s first innings allowed the hosts to construct a giant lead that proved insurmountable.
Hussain’s fellow former England captain and co-podcast host Michael Atherton warned that the issue with Stokes probably turning on a few of his squad is a scarcity of sturdy choices to exchange them.
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Talking on the Sky Sports activities Cricket podcast, Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton debate Brendon McCullum’s ‘overprepared’ declare as England head into a vital third Take a look at towards Australia in Adelaide.
Atherton mentioned: “The problem though is if you’re saying you’re getting to a stage where they’re not performing and ‘you’re not my friend anymore, I’m going to leave you out’, the back-up options are pretty thin.”
England No 3 batter Ollie Pope’s place within the aspect has come underneath dialogue within the media following the disappointing nature of his dismissals within the opening matches, with Jacob Bethell showing to be the most definitely substitute.
Addressing Atherton’s issues, Hussain mentioned: “They are (thin on options). It would have to be either re-jigging, which neither of us really like, with Will Jacks or something, or Bethell coming in on the back of a few runs.”
Ashes collection in Australia 2025-26
Australia lead five-match collection 2-0
