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| |  Monday, 27 August, 2001, 15:35 GMT 16:35 UK Hussain respects Aussie supremacy  Hussain is dismissed by Shane Warne on the final day England skipper Nasser Hussain acknowledged that Australia were class apart in Test cricket following his side's defeat by an innings and 25 runs in the fifth Test at The Oval. Click here for scorecard It was the tourists' 20th win in 23 Tests and gave them the series by a 4-1 margin. "You don't often get 600 runs and lose a Test match," Hussain said afterwards. He was asked what the main differences were between the two sides. "They get more runs than us, more wickets and more catches. Apart from that not a lot," he joked. "Everyone knows what a fine team they are. There's no point looking anywhere else apart from the Baggy Greens to work out the standards that are required." Surrey batsman Mark Butcher was chosen as England's Man of the Series by Australian coach John Buchanan after scoring 456 runs in the series, including a match-winning 173 not out at Headingley.
Butcher was only included in the team because of injuries to Graham Thorpe, Michael Vaughan and Hussain but made the most of his second chance in Test cricket. He also reflected the respect felt in the England dressing room for their opponents. "I'd like to congratulate Australia. They played magnificent cricket from the minute they touched down here - in the one-dayers and in the Test matches as well. "We've been magnificently impressed by the way they played. The way they carried themselves throughout the series has been superb as well." Butcher said his main aim on hearing of his recall to the side was to try and enjoy himself. "It was a real shock. I remember feeling more excited about that than I had about playing my first Test match." Butcher refused to be drawn on the possibility on him moving up from No 3 to his more usual opening position in India this winter if, as expected, Mike Atherton confirms his retirement. "I don't want to say anything until the warmth has gone out of Athers' bat. It's not even cold yet. "We'll let him decide what he's doing first and I'll do what I'm told after that," Butcher added. | |
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