Hussain: Team spirit is the key

Nasser Hussain has credited an excellent team spirit as being crucial to the resurgence of the national side.

Speaking on the BBC television programme, Onside, Hussain also pointed out the importance of central contracts to the improved performances by the Test team, but insisted that the camaraderie, confidence and self-belief within the side were the most important factors.

"We've got a side, especially in the Test matches, who believe in each other, we've got a fine coach, consistency in selection, we've got a good set of people behind us, but I think the bottom line is that we've got a group of lads who go on the field now and want to do well for each other.

"When you're stood at mid-off and Goughy is coming in to bowl, or Caddy or Craig White, you see Trescothick and Atherton go out to bat, because of the success we've had, because of the nice things that are written and said about us, and a coach that we believe in, we want to carry on doing well.

"Contracts have helped, especially for the likes of Gough and Caddick, they've stayed fit. But I think that when you are in difficult situations, what matters is that you believe in the people next to you and just try as hard as you can, then you get through difficult times."

Referring to the umpiring controversies that dogged England in Sri Lanka in particular, Hussain disputed that the game had changed, making the point that the improvement in television coverage had made umpiring mistakes more apparent.

"The problem comes with the TV and the technology, which has advanced so much now. You are seeing things now that you wouldn't have seen before. I'm sure that the game has been played hard in exactly the same manner for years and years; if you played an Australian 10, 20, 30, 100 years ago, they will have played exactly the same as they will this summer.

"So I don't think the game has changed that much, but what is here now is that with the game being on TV and with the technology and stuff, you don't get away with anything."

Hussain expressed some sympathy for the umpires, but reiterated his view that the standard of officials had to improve if further controversy was to be avoided.

"The umpire's job is not easy, especially in our day with the technology, it's getting more and more difficult, and I don't blame them for anything," he said.

"But the game and technology is moving on at such a rate, that unless the umpires catch up then there will be a problem."

He accepted that the players have a role to play in ensuring that the game is played in the correct spirit and defended the frequent appealing in the recent series by pointing out that it is often hard to tell what is out.

"I think the discipline of players has to stay above the line that is acceptable, also, as Mike Atherton has said, the standard of umpiring has to improve.

"Very rarely do you appeal when you know it's definitely not out. Look at some of the replays and you're still not sure after two or three replays. But the game is so fine now that you do appeal.

"It is up to the umpire to make the decision. Once you get that decision that is when you have to behave like an international cricketer. Take the rough with the smooth; you get a good one, you get a bad one."