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England's Test for attack of the future

Hussain relishing challenge of guiding inexperienced bowlers against Zimbabwe as Durham prepare for their big day

Angus Fraser
Thursday 05 June 2003 00:00 BST
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Between 1987 and 1989 Nasser Hussain spent three happy years at Durham University. While attending St Hild and St Bede College he studied Natural Science, met his wife and developed as a cricketer.

Returning to the north-east 14 years later Hussain's standing in life has changed. Through becoming a successful England captain he is now on the other side of the desk. As a leader Hussain is looked upon as a seasoned tutor. Just how much his BSc Honours degree will help him when he walks out here today for Durham's inaugural Test match, with the most inexperienced bowling attack he has had at his disposal, is questionable.

Matthew Hoggard's knee injury has left his fast bowling resources stretched. No matter who England omit from the 12-man squad selected for today's second Test against Zimbabwe, Hussain's pace attack will have seven caps and 22 wickets to its name. The Somerset seamer, Richard Johnson, is set to join James Anderson and Stephen Harmison in the final XI leaving Sussex's James Kirtley to make the long and lonely journey down the A1 to Tunbridge Wells. Playing with such an attack is a challenge Hussain is looking forward to.

"Having an inexperienced attack does make the captaincy difficult," he said. "It is always easier to win Test matches, as Australia know, with bowlers who have taken three or four hundred Test wickets. But this is also nice to see. It is rewarding when you see James Anderson take a five for and hopefully Steve Harmison will do the same here. To see the reaction of them and the crowd is rewarding. You see his life changing in front of him and this is pleasing for everyone. I hope someone can do it here."

Hussain's handling of England's young fast bowlers has led to criticism from former captains, Ian Botham and Bob Willis. They feel he puts the bowler under pressure by constantly changing the field and talking to them. They want Hussain to let the bowlers be in charge of their own destiny.

Hussain is unlikely to lose any sleep over the issue especially when Harmison, who had problems in Australia, publicly thanked his captain for his help Down Under. "I talk to bowlers because I believe, unless I am stupid, that is the job of the captain," Hussain said. "I make sure the bowler knows what the plan is and try to help him through difficult situations. It also ensures communication throughout the team and everyone knows what they are trying to do. I will not be doing it any more or any less because of external influences."

The sight of Michael Vaughan practising his off-spin yesterday is an indication England feel Zimbabwe will put up a better show here than they did at Lord's. The pitch here has changed considerably since it was first used in 1995. Then the ground was an oasis for fast bowlers, but over the years it has become a friendlier place to bat. The surface for is dry and Ashley Giles will have an important role to play. Hussain is expecting a stronger show from the tourists and is preparing his team accordingly.

"My side need to realise that 19 wickets falling in a day is not a regular thing in Test cricket," he said. "I have to make sure that our boys do not react differently when Zimbabwe put on a stand. We must not panic because that is Test cricket. Our mindset needs to be ready for hard work."

Unlike England, who will name their final XI this morning, Zimbabwe have selected the same side as that beaten in the first Test. A shortage of talent limits options for the tourists, but Heath Streak wants to give those who played at Lord's a chance to redeem themselves. "I feel this is our best XI," the captain said, "and we need to show confidence in those guys. We cannot keep chopping and changing every time we lose. We made our mistakes and we have to put them right."

Although ticket sales have gone reasonably well, Durham are disappointed to have over 2,000 available for each of the first two days. With the guarantee of a one-day international against New Zealand in 2004, Durham are hoping, through making a big impression during this match, to host a Test against Australia in 2005 rather than Bangladesh.

"We hope to establish The Riverside as a permanent home of Test match cricket in the future," said the Durham chairman Bill Middles. "It is important to show we can handle international cricket and if we get a good crowd on the first two days we can start knocking on the ECB door very quickly indeed about 2005."

ENGLAND (from): N Hussain (Essex, capt), M P Vaughan (Yorkshire), M E Trescothick (Somerset), M A Butcher (Surrey), R T W Key (Kent), A McGrath (Yorkshire), A J Stewart (Surrey, wkt), A F Giles (Warwickshire), J M Anderson (Lancashire), S J Harmison (Durham), R J Kirtley (Sussex), R L Johnson (Somerset).

ZIMBABWE: H H Streak (capt), M A Vermeulen, D D Ebrahim, S V Carlisle, G W Flower, T Taibu (wkt), S M Ervine, A M Blignaut, T J Friend, D T Hondo, R Price.

Umpires: D L Orchard (SA) and D B Hair (Aus).

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