Former England captain Nasser Hussain feels incumbent Joe Root is “arguably” the country’s best ever player of spin and can break all the Test batting records accumulated by the nation’s batsmen.
Root struck 218 in England’s first innings on a spin-friendly pitch to lead his side to a 227-run win over India in the first Test in Chennai on Tuesday.
“Root sure is one of England’s greats. He will probably end up breaking all records, he will probably go past Sir Alastair Cook’s 161 Test matches and probably tally of runs (12472) as well,” Hussain wrote in his column for Sky Sports.
“He is in great nick, only 30 years old, and if you did a list of all-time England batting greats — the ones I have seen anyway — you’d have to have Root with Cook, Graham Gooch and Kevin Pietersen.
“I would say he is arguably England’s best-ever player of spin, the way he sweeps spin away is outstanding to watch.”
The 52-year-old Hussain said the massive win against India in their own den was a “perfect performance”.
“People were writing England off, saying this series could be 4-0 to India. No one really gave this side much of a chance. India had won in Australia, Virat Kohli was back and India is a very difficult place to go and win in Test match cricket.
“So, this win for England has to be right up there, especially away from home.”
Hussain felt that England have improved a lot on the road having won six away matches on the trot. “If you asked Joe Root or Chris Silverwood right now whether they are the best side in the world they would say no. But they have been the best side they can be.”