Cricket: Hussain endeavours to entertain in the field

While it is virtually impossible to find a single redeeming feature in England's performance in the field over the first two days at Headingley, they must not be allowed to pass without reference to the brilliant fielding of Nasser Hussain.

His superb athleticism allied to his keen anticipation and splendid throwing arm enabled him to save a great many runs during the Pakistan innings as he threw himself this way and that, mostly in the covers.

It was a brilliant piece of fielding by Hussain which contributed to Ijaz Ahmed's dismissal on the first day, although it happened seven overs before he was out. Ijaz had been marooned on 132 for some while, partly because he could not beat the field and partly because Salim Malik, his partner, had most of the strike.

When at last Ijaz came to face Andy Caddick, he played another withering square cut which Hussain somehow cut off at cover as he dived to his left. This brilliant piece of fielding visibly annoyed Ijaz who thought he should have had four runs, and in his frustration he became more reckless in his attempt to push the score along but he was still unable to get the ball through the field.

Seven overs later he had faced only another 18 balls and was still like a tightly coiled spring. It was then that Dominic Cork bowled him a slower one which was a wide half volley. Ijaz planted his front foot down the pitch on the line of the off stump and flailed wildly at a ball which he could scarcely reach and was caught behind. If that earlier square cut had gone for four, Ijaz may well have kept his composure.

It is in ways like this that oustanding fielders like Hussain have such an important effect on the game. They can also do a great deal to raise the morale of the side, and the other England players must surely have been uplifted by Hussain's performance. Several had their heads down and for them Hussain's best efforts must have come as a much-needed shot of adrenalin.

Another by-product of fielding of this class is the superb entertainment value it provides. There is something most compelling about watching Hussain perform his feats, just as there was when watching Clive Lloyd in his early days in the covers or Viv Richards, especially in the 1975 World Cup final at Lord's when he ran out two Australian batsmen with direct hits.

Then there was Paul Sheahan and Ross Edwards of Australia and before that Norman O'Neill and Neil Harvey. Perhaps the best two fielders of them all came from South Africa. Jonty Rhodes in their present side needs no introduction but not everyone will remember Colin Bland from their side in the 1960s. No other fielder had quite the same ability constantly to throw down the stumps from any angle.