Nasser Hussain: Sometimes England's smartness is lost because of their aggression

England appeared to be coasting to victory in Nelson, with 52 runs required from 31 balls and eight wickets safely in the bank, prior to losing five wickets for 10 runs in less than three overs

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"We know that with a Morgan side, they always play positive and aggressive, but sometimes that smartness is lost because they're so aggressive."

Nasser Hussain suggested England needed to box clever after Eoin Morgan's side collapsed to a 14-run defeat in the third T20I against New Zealand.

England appeared to be coasting to victory in Nelson, with 42 runs required from 31 balls and eight wickets safely in the bank, prior to losing five wickets for 10 runs in less than three overs.

As a result, they fell 14 short and now face a must-win match in Napier on Friday to stay competitive in the series.

In the post-match interviews, Morgan suggested that a lack of experience in the chase was to blame. However, both he and 39-cap James Vince were well set when the collapse began.

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Nasser Hussain presented England caps to Matt Parkinson and Tom Banton at Saxton Field

"It is the headline act, and where did the collapse start?" former England captian Hussain told Sky Sports.

"It was when Morgan tried to drag the last ball of [Mitchell] Santner's over, spell in fact, for six. He'd already hit him for two sixes - 16 from the over - and then on the last ball, he went again.

"He said at the presentation, 'we try to play positive, smart, aggressive cricket'. We know that with a Morgan side, they always play positive and aggressive, but sometimes that smartness is lost because they're so aggressive."

That high-intent mindset was a major factor in England's rise to the top of the world in the 50-over format, and Hussain accepted that Morgan is trying to instil the same mentality in the fringe players who have travelled to New Zealand as part of this white-ball squad.

NOW READ: Talking Points from England's defeat in Nelson

"He may be playing like that to send a message to the young lads in the dressing room; 'if in doubt, take the positive approach'. He certainly doesn't doubt the way he wants to take England's white-ball cricket," Hussain said.

"But, it opened the door. He could have just knocked that for one and they would have been bossing the game.

"Instead, he got out - England should still win it from that position, but then Vince goes and the inexperienced lads in the middle order can't get them over the line."

"Even after Morgan's dismissal, [42 needed from 30 balls] with seven wickets in hand, Vince should grab the game by the scruff of the neck, or whoever.

"It shouldn't dwindle away where the last few balls are almost irrelevant. It should be getting down the last two balls with six needed to win or something. Instead, England just capitulated into a heap."

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