England will attempt to reassure worried captain Nasser Hussain later this week as he attempts to re-capture the form that has deserted him this season. Hussain will return to county cricket for Essex tomorrow in their championship match against Worcestershire at Kidderminster after scoring just 126 Test runs in the last 10 innings and only 128 in first-class cricket this summer.
It is a major concern for Hussain, England coach Duncan Fletcher and chairman of selectors David Graveney, all of whom accept that an international side gains confidence from a captain at the top of his game. But rather than dwell on Hussain's lack of touch at the crease when they make contact later this week to discuss selection for next week's fourth Test against West Indies at Headingley, England will take the softly-softly approach and urge their captain not to panic at the current situation.
“I'm as concerned as Nasser is, admitted Graveney. He realises he's not in the best of form but it's not a question of panicking or anything like that although you want your batsman to be in prime form. One thing is for sure, no one will work harder at their game but there is also a case of trying too hard. It's a big job being an international captain, there are a lot of other things to do and he will benefit from going away and being out of the limelight this week. Let's hope he encounters a decent wicket at Kidderminster, all he needs is to spend some time in the middle and you have to back the quality of the person.”
Hussain's struggles have not been helped by a broken thumb injury sustained shortly before the Lord's Test six weeks ago, which has denied him the chance to play any first-class cricket in the intervening period. (PA)
