'Incredibly Odd That England Ended Tour in South Africa's Hour of Need' : Nasser Hussain

[Savak]

'Incredibly Odd That England Ended Tour in South Africa's Hour of Need' - Nasser Hussain

Former England captain Nasser Hussain expressed surprise that England ended the tour of South Africa due to medical grounds after multiple instances of bubble breach.

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Updated: December 9, 2020, 9:33 AM IST

Former England captain Nasser Hussain expressed surprise that England ended the tour of South Africa due to medical grounds after multiple instances of bubble breach. Hussain said he found it 'incredibly odd' that England didn't play on given they had an extended squad, pointing that other teams had helped ECB save a lot of money by touring them this summer.

"There are questions to answer. For one, it does seem incredibly odd that an England squad who have not been affected by Covid at all during their stay in South Africa have upped sticks and gone home with three games left to play," Hussain wrote in his column for Daily Mail.

"Maybe down the line, the players might look back on this and think, 'Could we have played those games? Was it that bad?'

"After all, they only have to think back to the summer to remember what West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and Ireland did to make sure the English season could take place in full. It saved millions of pounds for the ECB.

"Then look at all the effort and money Cricket South Africa put into this short tour to make sure the lights could be kept switched on for international cricket.

"Maybe down the line, the players might look back on this and think, 'Could we have played those games? Was it that bad?'

"After all, they only have to think back to the summer to remember what West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and Ireland did to make sure the English season could take place in full. It saved millions of pounds for the ECB.

"Then look at all the effort and money Cricket South Africa put into this short tour to make sure the lights could be kept switched on for international cricket.

Link: https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...icas-hour-of-need-nasser-hussain-3159383.html

 

[therealAB]

This could be described as many things, but I would never call a big Three member showing a lack of care towards smaller nations 'odd'

 

[Rana]

They ran home because they were desperate to avoid the extra 14 day bubble which would have been the case if the two tests were confirmed positive. They would not have had this situation if the star players were not mentally fatigued due to the IPL

 

[Canistani Hero]

Tragic

 

[silentkiller187]

Most the players wanted to be back home for Christmas, who knows when the rescheduled games would have taken place, plus they would have had to re arrange flights hotels etc, not ideal during Covid so it maybe odd but you can't really blame them too much.

 

[Zaz]

Shock horror A big board not fuffiling its obligation towards the weaker board

 

[Robert]

For goodness sakes. The tour was called off on health grounds. Did you really want to see someone get a serious COVID infection, get killed or crippled?

 

[Mamoon]

Just Nasser talking nonsense as usual so that non-big 3 fans can praise his “neutrality”.

 

[TrentDevil]

Daily Maverick has learned that following a three-hour meeting between England players and the ECB on Monday, it was the players who refused to take the field despite the ECB urging them to do so.

Considering the Covid scare in the England camp was a false alarm and despite England sending the samples of the “positive” tests for further independent lab testing, which also came back negative, the players would not budge.

It has left the ECB embarrassed, because it appears that despite claims of a bio-bubble breach, CSA did everything in its powers to maintain a secure environment.

It also doesn’t fully stack up, considering England’s players golfed on five occasions and undertook an unscheduled practice at Newlands outside of the designated training area in the centre of the ground. That training session breached Covid protocols.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/art...-increasing-acrimony-between-the-parties/amp/


but yeah it's all fault of the South African board, these English players should've been jailed for these breaches, so that it would have knocked some sense into them

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Daily Maverick won't be my publication of choice to validate this story.

Pity the series didn't go ahead though - sounds like it needed a bit of generosity - which not everyone will be prepared to give. Science is the best way forward in these cases - which is why we need to see facts.

 

[Pacy with wisdom]

For goodness sakes. The tour was called off on health grounds. Did you really want to see someone get a serious COVID infection, get killed or crippled?

Which active athlete has been killed by covid? Heard of any?

 

[Energy]

If the two cases do get confirmed as negative then the whole narrative of Covid-19 'outbreak' does not have a leg to stand on. And the story will switch to players welfare and physical/mental health. The whole situation is odd.

 

[gazza619]

Hussain is as honest as one can be. What a gem.

 

[shamaan]

Ridiculous stuff from England they should be punished

 

[Saj]

They seemed to be in a big rush to get out of South Africa.

I'm not sure if the whole truth will ever come out.

 

[topspin]

Just Nasser talking nonsense as usual so that non-big 3 fans can praise his “neutrality”.

Trust me, there is more to it than meets the eye.

If this was Pakistan instead of England, you wouldn't have held back.

England needs to compensate SA cricket board for their loss of earnings as a result of running back home.

Shameless bunch.

 

[Mamoon]

Trust me, there is more to it than meets the eye.

If this was Pakistan instead of England, you wouldn't have held back.

England needs to compensate SA cricket board for their loss of earnings as a result of running back home.

Shameless bunch.

CSA didn’t make proper arrangements for England and their bio-secure bubble was not secure in the first place.

ECB is under no obligation to risk the health of its players.

 

[hitthestump]

We can get used to seeing more of this if the ridiculous 'Big 3' model isn't abolished.

Pretty shortsighted from England too. Boards aren't going to forget how they were treated during COVID in a hurry. I expect any bad blood forged to last a little while here.

 

[Bewal Express]

This is shocking and selfish by England. Others have to spend months in bubbles but England players couldn't spend another week. If push came to shove, they could have played all 3 matches over 3 or 4 days. If its your summer, others have to sacrifice but God forbid you too have to sacrifice. I just hope SA repay the favour next time.

 

[Bewal Express]

CSA didn’t make proper arrangements for England and their bio-secure bubble was not secure in the first place.

ECB is under no obligation to risk the health of its players.

The tests proved negative. England were players desperate to get home for Christmas and shopping. They wouldn't have done this if SA were handing out the IPL contracts

 

[wrongun]

We can get used to seeing more of this if the ridiculous 'Big 3' model isn't abolished.

Pretty shortsighted from England too. Boards aren't going to forget how they were treated during COVID in a hurry. I expect any bad blood forged to last a little while here.

But this wasn't a board led "Big 3" decision. It was the English players throwing a wobbly because they might have to endure a tough tour & didn't want anything except luxury without sacrifice.

It's pretty much on par with the British handling of covid altogether though- public by and large ignore the orders & don't think the owe any responsibility to anyone and the messages from the top are weak & confused.

 

[Rana]

But this wasn't a board led "Big 3" decision. It was the English players throwing a wobbly because they might have to endure a tough tour & didn't want anything except luxury without sacrifice.

It's pretty much on par with the British handling of covid altogether though- public by and large ignore the orders & don't think the owe any responsibility to anyone and the messages from the top are weak & confused.

These players on tour are hardly English. We have 10 guys from South Africa/Zimbabwe, a couple of West Indians. 2 blokes from Bradford and an Irish Captain.

 

[wrongun]

These players on tour are hardly English. We have 10 guys from South Africa/Zimbabwe, a couple of West Indians. 2 blokes from Bradford and an Irish Captain.

Really- I only count 2 players born in SA/Zimb in the ODI squad... + the Irish captain & Archer of WI (Barbados?). Then about 10 or 12 Englishmen.

 

[Mamoon]

The tests proved negative. England were players desperate to get home for Christmas and shopping. They wouldn't have done this if SA were handing out the IPL contracts

Once bitten twice shy. The bubble wasn’t secure and CSA were clearly not in control of the situation. The English players and ECB were within their rights to get out of there.

They will not put themselves at risk just so that they can appear empathetic towards CSA. At the end of the day, everyone looks after it’s own interests.

Pakistan looked after its own interests as well. Cheerleaders like Nasser can wax lyrical about our “sacrifice”, but the real reason why we toured England was because we cannot afford to upset ECB because we need them to tour Pakistan.

If CSA and PCB become as powerful and influential as the big 3 boards, they will also wield their power and misuse it at times. They will not act like saints either.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Nasser Hussain as usual taking the side of a non big 3 team. He also goes out of his way to praise their players.

The biosecure bubble was breached. No one can be forced to play in such a situation.

 

[cricketjoshila]

The tests proved negative. England were players desperate to get home for Christmas and shopping. They wouldn't have done this if SA were handing out the IPL contracts

Hotel staffs still reported positive. Thats a bio bubble breach.

There were no such breaches in the IPL.

 

[Mamoon]

Nasser Hussain as usual taking the side of a non big 3 team. He also goes out of his way to praise their players.

The biosecure bubble was breached. No one can be forced to play in such a situation.

Nasser’s constant verbal diarrhea against the big 3 is to get the non-big 3 fans to praise his honestly and impartiality.

 

[Bewal Express]

Hotel staffs still reported positive. Thats a bio bubble breach.

There were no such breaches in the IPL.

But even if there were they would have carried on. The badniyaati of these players is all to see. They wanted to get home for Christmas.

 

[Bewal Express]

Once bitten twice shy. The bubble wasn’t secure and CSA were clearly not in control of the situation. The English players and ECB were within their rights to get out of there.

They will not put themselves at risk just so that they can appear empathetic towards CSA. At the end of the day, everyone looks after it’s own interests.

Pakistan looked after its own interests as well. Cheerleaders like Nasser can wax lyrical about our “sacrifice”, but the real reason why we toured England was because we cannot afford to upset ECB because we need them to tour Pakistan.

If CSA and PCB become as powerful and influential as the big 3 boards, they will also wield their power and misuse it at times. They will not act like saints either.

Archer showed in the summer that nor were England. They wanted to get home for Christmas

 

[Mamoon]

Archer showed in the summer that nor were England. They wanted to get home for Christmas

Okay, now the narrative is that they ran home for Christmas.

If South Africa was better right now and favorites for the ODI series, then the narrative would have been that they ran home because they wanted to avoid losing.

If Christmas wasn’t around and England would have left, then the narrative would be something else.

The conclusion is that people will come up anything to put a negative spin on what a member of the evil big 3 empire does.

This isn’t the first or the last time these English players have played or will play cricket around Christmas time.

ECB will do what it is has to do to protect its players. If their decision has a negative impact on other boards it is not their problem. All boards do stuff that serve their interests first and foremost.

 

[Mamoon]

Archer showed in the summer that nor were England. They wanted to get home for Christmas

That shouldn’t have happened but no one that was part of the bio-secure environment tested positive. ECB managed two series and over two months and no one tested positive.

No one can manage this situation perfectly but they did a very good job to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

On the other hand, CSA failed to protect the hotel staff from exposure and ECB is under no ethical or legal obligation to carry on with the tour.

 

[Bewal Express]

That shouldn’t have happened but no one that was part of the bio-secure environment tested positive. ECB managed two series and over two months and no one tested positive.

No one can manage this situation perfectly but they did a very good job to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

On the other hand, CSA failed to protect the hotel staff from exposure and ECB is under no ethical or legal obligation to carry on with the tour.

It did happen and because it was England, everybody just drew a veil over it. If an England player tested positive then fair enough but they didnt. I knew exactly what they were thinking, and if it was the IPL they would have stayed and laughed it off. The ECB knew it was rubbish and to persuade them because down the line, SA will take revenge and it will cost England Millions.

 

[Mamoon]

It did happen and because it was England, everybody just drew a veil over it. If an England player tested positive then fair enough but they didnt. I knew exactly what they were thinking, and if it was the IPL they would have stayed and laughed it off. The ECB knew it was rubbish and to persuade them because down the line, SA will take revenge and it will cost England Millions.

Unfortunately, South Africa will not “take revenge” and release a blockbuster action movie called the “Revenge of the non-Big 3” and we will not see the evil empire of the big 3 fall into ashes.

Unfortunately, unlike Pakistani fans, the world does not think with their kneecaps. They are pragmatic and look at the bigger picture instead of getting emotional playing victim all the time.

The ODI series will be amicably rescheduled in the future and South Africa will tour England in 2022 without any fuss.

 

[cricketjoshila]

But even if there were they would have carried on. The badniyaati of these players is all to see. They wanted to get home for Christmas.

They were scheduled to return on Thursday anyhow. How is that changed?

 

[shah_1]

Football players are regurlary tested positive but yet football doesn't stop. Nasser is right

 

[JattMaula]

SL board demanded a better bio-secure bubble even before English tour. CSA have clearly failed to arrange a tour during these admittedly unprecedented times.

 

[topspin]

Once bitten twice shy. The bubble wasn’t secure and CSA were clearly not in control of the situation. The English players and ECB were within their rights to get out of there.

They will not put themselves at risk just so that they can appear empathetic towards CSA. At the end of the day, everyone looks after it’s own interests.

Pakistan looked after its own interests as well. Cheerleaders like Nasser can wax lyrical about our “sacrifice”, but the real reason why we toured England was because we cannot afford to upset ECB because we need them to tour Pakistan.

If CSA and PCB become as powerful and influential as the big 3 boards, they will also wield their power and misuse it at times. They will not act like saints either.

I'm totally with you on this but doesn't mean you can defend the ECB bro.

You claim Nasser Hussain goes out of his way to defend those boards outside the big 3. You may well be correct but how are you any different when you're go above and beyond to defend ECB? - yet you claim to be a Pakistan fan.

 

[Hasan123]

How is it incredibly odd that ECB put their players welfare ahead of cricket?

Weird comments from Nas.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Once bitten twice shy. The bubble wasn’t secure and CSA were clearly not in control of the situation. The English players and ECB were within their rights to get out of there.

They will not put themselves at risk just so that they can appear empathetic towards CSA. At the end of the day, everyone looks after it’s own interests.

Pakistan looked after its own interests as well. Cheerleaders like Nasser can wax lyrical about our “sacrifice”, but the real reason why we toured England was because we cannot afford to upset ECB because we need them to tour Pakistan.

If CSA and PCB become as powerful and influential as the big 3 boards, they will also wield their power and misuse it at times. They will not act like saints either.

Everyone does things in their own interests. Watch, the same players who once criticized the PSL or made comments about it will take part in the PSL 6 solely because Pakistani-Indian conditions are similar, and they want to maximize their time taken to adapt to such wickets.

The only incentive for one board to be nice to another is if they make something out of it.

Not to undermine their decision, but from a South African standpoint, if they tour Pakistan, it will increase the likelihood of Pakistan touring South Africa, helping generate revenue and whatnot. This is how the world works.

 

[Saj]

South African cricket chief has blamed the England team’s desire to play golf and “do things they shouldn’t be doing” for failures in the Covid-19 protocols which led to the cancellation of the one-day international series.

Zak Yacoob, the interim chairman of Cricket South Africa, said there was “no justification” for England’s decision to abort the series, and also accused international cricket’s so-called big-three — England, India and Australia — of being “laws unto themselves”.

 

[Rana]

South African cricket chief has blamed the England team’s desire to play golf and “do things they shouldn’t be doing” for failures in the Covid-19 protocols which led to the cancellation of the one-day international series.

Zak Yacoob, the interim chairman of Cricket South Africa, said there was “no justification” for England’s decision to abort the series, and also accused international cricket’s so-called big-three — England, India and Australia — of being “laws unto themselves”.

Lol, they want a paid international holiday, not serious international cricket

 

[Rana]

How is it incredibly odd that ECB put their players welfare ahead of cricket?

Weird comments from Nas.

Weird comments by the South African chief also?

 

[Mamoon]

Golf is the greatest addiction known to man. It has ruined marriages let alone a cricket tour.

 

[PAKNeedThinker]

Just Nasser talking nonsense as usual so that non-big 3 fans can praise his “neutrality”.

there comes nonsense master

 

[Rana]

there comes nonsense master

The queen of cringe

 

[Rana]

CSA didn’t make proper arrangements for England and their bio-secure bubble was not secure in the first place.

ECB is under no obligation to risk the health of its players.

Golf is the greatest addiction known to man. It has ruined marriages let alone a cricket tour.

What happened here? From “safety comes first and being well within your rights to running away” to “golf destroys marriages, let alone tours”.

 

[Mamoon]

What happened here? From “safety comes first and being well within your rights to running away” to “golf destroys marriages, let alone tours”.

It was a general remark.

As far as the CSA chief story is concerned, I don’t think he has enough credibility for me to take his word.

He seems to be making excuses and putting all the blame on the English players. We need to hear ECB’s side of the story as well.

As I said earlier, there is no point in blaming either board. It was a misunderstanding and thankfully everyone’s safe.