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Hussain hurt England plunges to Ashes defeat against Australia
Updated: Sunday July 08, 2001 11:00 AM
BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) -- England captain Nasser Hussain fractured a finger and was forced to retire hurt as his team plunged to defeat by an innings and 118 runs against Australia in the first Ashes test at Edgbaston on Sunday. Hussain was hit on the little finger of his left hand by a sharply lifting delivery from Jason Gillespie, who produced a burst of three wickets for four runs in 15 balls to accelerate Australia's march to victory with more than a day to spare. Shane Warne helped to wrap up the touring side's success in the opening match of the five-test series by dispatching Marcus Trescothick, who was top scorer with 76, and Darren Gough in consecutive balls directly after lunch. "It was an excellent team effort...but I still think we can improve. It shows Warne is still a great bowler, even if some people have written him off," said Australia captain Steve Waugh. Hussain's broken finger -- in his first game back for England following a previous hand injury -- was a key moment, compounding his side's problems on a pitch of uneven bounce. The England skipper had scored nine when he retired hurt at 117 for two, and once Australia scented victory they closed in for the kill in the disciplined and relentless manner that has made them currently the best test side in the world. "They're a fine side and they completely outplayed us. You could have given the man-of-the match award to almost any of their players," Hussain said afterwards. When their win was completed, Australia's players did a walking lap of honour round the ground to warm applause from both English and a large contingent of their own supporters. Hussain was left to reflect on continuing wretched ill fortune in the international arena. He suffered a broken finger against New Zealand in the Lord's test of 1999, then broke a thumb for Essex and missed the 2000 Lord's test against West Indies. Then in May this year, he fractured a thumb against Pakistan in the Lord's test. His side had resumed the fourth day encouragingly after being 48 for one overnight, with the overcast skies of the previous two days giving way to broken cloud with bursts of sunshine. The home crowd were eager to cheer England's runs, even the singles, and the first landmark that drew extra applause was the second wicket partnership of 50 from 90 balls which arrived when Mark Butcher stroked Shane Warne for four just backward of square on the off side. Trescothick, warming to his task, took 10 off an over from Warne -- including a pull for four and a back foot force through the covers for another boundary, which prompted Steve Waugh to take his leg-spinner out of the attack after conceding 25 runs in four overs. Not to be outdone, fellow left-hander Butcher struck two fours in an over by Glenn McGrath, who was subsequently hooked for six by Trescothick. Initial breakthroughBrett Lee made the initial breakthrough for his first Ashes wicket with a wickedly lifting delivery that Butcher edged to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. Butcher had made 41 from 74 balls in a vibrant second wicket stand of 95 with Trescothick. Lee, generating significant pace, then forced Ian Ward to play on, before Gillespie plunged England to the threshold of defeat with his three-wicket burst. Gillespie had Alec Stewart superbly caught by Warne at first slip, trapped Usman Afzaal leg before and utterly beat Craig White's forward defensive push to bowl him. Warne had the final word after lunch, starting with the dismissal of Trescothick to a catch by Mark Waugh at first slip. The opener batted 179 minutes, faced 113 balls and hit 11 fours and two wickets. The leg-spinner then made short work of Gough and Ashley Giles to finish with three for 29, while Gillespie had three for 52 and Lee two for 37. England, whose last seven wickets had tumbled for 22 in 10 overs, have now lost their last eight games -- two tests and six one-dayers. The second of the five-test series begins on July 19 at Lord's.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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