Getting ‘dangerman’ Hussey early key to England winning Boxing Day Test: Marks

LONDON - Former England cricketer Vic Marks believes that Andrew Strauss’ team can win the Boxing Day Test of the Ashes series if they dismiss Australian middle-order batsman Mike Hussey early.

Hussey has scored 517 runs at an average of 103 in the series so far, which includes his career best 195 in the opening Test at the Gabba.

The 35-year-old has also become the first batsman to record six successive Ashes fifties

“England must go back to basics against Australia’s dangerman: aim for off-stump, make him play, and wear him down,” Marks wrote in an article for the Guardian.

“He is mortal. But we may need reminding of his mortality,” he added.

Marks further said that batsmen could be consumed by technique and by doing things “right”.

“So, what should England do? Nothing special is the simple answer. When batsmen induce bowling attacks to change tack they are already winning the battle. So it’s back to basics,” Marks said.

“Hussey leaves the ball exceptionally well at the start of his innings so it is important to make him play early on when he is vulnerable - like everyone else - to being lbw or caught behind the wicket,” he added. (ANI)