Headingley Test, Day 5
Monday, August 26, 2002 Obviously that was a disappointing day. The first wicket was always going to be important - the longer Stewie and I batted, the more the Indians were going to panic, but then I was out. It was a pretty good ball from Kumble. It looked like a legbreak but it went straight on - later Stewie got a similar-looking ball that did turn. Maybe it was because it was a newish ball. Anyway it bounced a bit and took my glove. I couldn't keep it down, and Sehwag took a very good catch at short leg.

I had been playing pretty well up till then, to be honest. I was seeing the ball well and had found boundaries easy to come by. I was determined to get a big one today, but it wasn't to be. I was quite pleased with the innings - but we lost.

The press will no doubt point the finger at four or five of our bowlers and blame them for the defeat, but it's not as simple as that. We didn't bowl well, that's true - but we didn't catch well either, and we didn't bat brilliantly. But you have to give India credit - everyone was saying that they can't handle the seaming ball, and they went out and scored 600.

Theirs is a very talented batting line-up, and it was always going to fire somewhere. It says a lot for us that we've played them in six Tests in the last few months and this is the first time it has happened. But we have to look at why we have struggled to get the ball up there, to make the batsmen play. Our seamers are struggling to hit the right length.

The same thing happened at Trent Bridge. Again you have to remember that India batted very well there too, and scored 400. We didn't lose it at Trent Bridge - they saved the game. Don't forget that they beat us last winter and aren't a bad team.

After a defeat like that you don't just say all right then see you next week. I said a few things to the lads to let them know what's required. Some of them are going to play in the next round of Championship matches, but I'm not - I'm a bit bruised and battered after that game.

We select the team for the Oval Test next week - Thursday, I think - although we are waiting for some fitness reports on one or two players. It's unlikely that Andrew Flintoff will be playing, as he has to have an operation before the Ashes, so there's a position up for grabs there. We will be choosing the team for Australia at the same time, although we won't be announcing that till after the Oval Test. It's game on now - 1-1 and all to play for.

Nasser Hussain was talking to Steven Lynch. His thoughts will appear on Wisden.com, other duties permitting, at the end of each day of England's international cricket this summer.

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