Former skipper Nasser Hussain was amazed as England hammered a vast, record-breaking 498, packed with 36 fours and 26 sixes, in the first ODI against the Netherlands.
The current world champion’s record-breaking total is centred on the tons of Phil Salter, David Maran, and Joss Butler, who hit 162 of 70 balls.
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Hussain wrote in his Daily Mail column that England had scored nearly 500 runs despite the absence of Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, and Joe Root. The 54-year-old believes England will continue to reach new heights in one-day cricket and that 500 is not far away.
“England can be without people such as Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, and Joe Root and can still just smash their way past their own world 50-over record total. The hitting potential is extraordinary.” Hussain wrote.
“The white-ball revolution did not end with the 2019 World Cup. They will carry on pushing the boundaries,” he added. “A total beyond 500 either in the last two games in Amsterdam or later in the summer? Why not. England will not hold back, that’s for certain. There is no stopping them.”
Hussain compliments Jos Buttler
Buttler, the show’s star, hit 14 sixes throughout his knock of 70 balls. He added 184 and 91, respectively, with Dawid Malan and Liam Livingstone. The hosts defeated the Netherlands by bowling them out for 266 to grab a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The former cricketer-turned-commentator asserted that the IPL experience has uncovered a more dangerous version of Buttler. Hussain thought his bottom-hand play and bat speed rendered the bowlers helpless.
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“Jos Buttler was a freak anyway but add the IPL experience he has now and the fantastic campaign he has just enjoyed with Rajasthan, and you are seeing a special talent in the form and belief of his life,” Hussain commented.
He continued, “A couple of Buttler’s sixes on Friday were hit-off balls that just missed the yorker length, but his bottom hand comes through at the last second and enables him to get underneath the ball and just hit it out of the ground.”
“The bat speed, with the bottom hand coming through, is incredible, and when he is batting like that, he is impossible to bowl to,” Hussain concluded.
Hussain rates Joe Root as England’s greatest batter
In addition to commenting on the England team and Jos Butler, Hussain has recently made a big claim and named Joe Root the “greatest batter” to have played from England.
Cricket experts have started to argue Root’s status in the ranks of the sport’s greatest players as he shows no sign of slowing down.
Root has had more Test centuries than anybody else since 2021. Root joined Virat Kohli and Steve Smith for the most Test centuries this week, becoming the second Englishman after Sir Alastair Cook to reach 10,000 runs in the longest format.
“Joe Root has gone to the top now. He has just taken his game to exceptional levels in difficult circumstances over the past 18 months,” Hussain described in his Daily Mail writing. He also added that Joe has this “great rhythm” and “looks to score in a beautifully controlled way all the time.”
“Now, he is regularly converting half-centuries into three figures. He will go on to break Sir Alastair Cook’s England record and who knows how many others,” Hussain said.
Graham Gooch and Cook were Hussain’s second and third favourite English batsmen. David Gower was fourth, while Kevin Petersen was placed fifth.
Root resigned as England’s Test captain after back-to-back series defeats to Australia and West Indies. Then, Ben Stokes replaced him and won a home series against New Zealand.
