Hussain praises fielding display

England skipper Nasser Hussain praised his bowlers and fielders after a 16-run victory over India in the second one-day international on Tuesday.

"We played pretty well, everyone fielded well and bowled well," Hussain said after the tourists bounced back from Saturday's defeat in the first game of the six-match series.

India, chasing 251 for victory, were coasting at 99 for one before Sachin Tendulkar's unfortunate run-out triggered a batting slump also prompted by superb England fielding.

"That was a crucial wicket," Hussain said of Tendulkar's dismissal after he backed up too far and bowler Ben Hollioake deflected a return drive onto the stumps at the non-striker's end.

Hussain felt his side could have scored another 20 runs but said he was confident India would not find the chase easy.

He said: "250 wasn't enough, but there will always be pressure chasing.

"Pressure does funny things to different sides. Our boys took their chances."

Hussain said his players could do even better after a couple of catches were dropped in between some fine work in the field.

The Madras-born Hussain added: "The next game is crucial. The other side will then need to win the next two games."

Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly said his team should have reached the target after Tendulkar's "freak" dismissal, but felt the inexperience of some of the players showed.

"We should obviously have chased it. But inexperience showed up a bit. It was a bit of a tough situation."

Batting all-rounder Paul Collingwood, who top-scored with a 78-ball 71 not out for England, won the man-of-the-match award.

Collingwood said the pitch gradually grew slower to make free scoring difficult and praised Jeremy Snape for his support in the final stages of the England innings.

Snape contributed 22 from 27 deliveries as the two put on 51 for the seventh wicket.

Mail Cricket Editor