Match 3, Chennai
Friday, January 25, 2002

We showed some fight in that game but it was all a little bit too late. It was the batting where we lost it – we really should have got 250-plus to be anywhere near competitive. We just didn't do the basics right. Things like using our full 50 overs, and batting in partnerships all the way down. None of that went right today. So although it was close towards the end, we were always behind on points.

I played a poor shot, to be honest. Sanjay Bangar was one of those bowlers we'd identified as someone to get after, so I went for it and it just didn't come off. It was all very peculiar actually. I'd been out there batting for half an hour and I think I'd only faced about four balls. That stopped me getting any rhythm into my batting.

I honestly didn't feel any different batting in Madras. Not at all. I haven't spoken to my dad yet – he's already on the flight home! Seriously though, batting in the town I was born in is an experience I won't forget.

We'll have to see about making changes for the next game. Duncan and I need to see how people shape up tomorrow. Some of the lads are very dehydrated and there's a few with niggles. Plus we've now got a flight to catch in the middle of the night, then a long coach journey. We'll have to see how everyone rocks up.

There still are lots of plusses to take from this game. We showed a lot of character after that early collapse to come back and build a score. Jeremy Snape's batting down the order impressed me and Vaughan looked in good nick. We made a good effort at defending such a low score.

So, some positives. But we need to get those basics right.

Nasser Hussain was talking to Camilla Rossiter. His thoughts will appear on Wisden.com throughout the one-day series.

More Nasser Hussain
Jaded but content
'I'm not allowed to say where it went wrong'

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