Hussain praises pitch after England win

England captain Nasser Hussain praised the drop-in pitch provided for the first Test against New Zealand after his team won the first test by 98 runs on Saturday.

England, who lost two wickets in the opening over on Wednesday after being asked to bat on the imported pitch, dismissed New Zealand for 451 on the fourth day after Nathan Astle had struck the fastest Test double century on record.

"It was a great Test match," Hussain said. "It was a Test match in reverse because usually the wicket deteriorates. That wicket just got better and better.

"To have different pitches is not a problem as long as the toss doesn't play too important a role. I thought that was an absolutely crucial toss and that's why we are pleased to win this game.

"If you can lose a toss like that and be nought for two in the first over then go on and win a Test match shows a lot of character in our side."

Hussain, who scored 106 in England's first innings when the pitch was at its liveliest, said his team had gone one-nil up in 1999 against New Zealand but then lost the series 2-1.

"We have got a lot of work to do, we keep our feet on the ground and we keep working," he said.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said his team had not taken full advantage of winning the toss. Fleming dropped his opposite number Hussain when he was on 52.

"I was to blame for letting that one go," he said. "There were too many four balls and slip chances throughout the game."

Fleming said the team had missed all-rounder Chris Cairns, who bowled only four overs in England's second innings of 468 for six declared after injuring his right knee. Cairns, who took England's first two wickets in the opening over of the match, will play no further part in the series.

"We just didn't have the penetration without Chris there," Fleming said. "We were never able to sustain pressure for a period of time."

Related reports:
Astle blazes fastest double ton but Eng win

Mail Cricket Editor