Hussain: We must win

Nasser Hussain doing stretching exercises at Lord's

England cricket captain Nasser Hussain believes an England victory is a must at Lord's.

Hussain is confident England will beat Zimbabwe as long as the home side is not complacent.

But he predicts a close match as the two sides are currently ranked as the worst and the second worst in the world.

Speaking at the final practice session before the first Test starts on Thursday, Hussain said: "You can only go on past results.

"Results tell us at the moment we're the second worst side in the world and they, according to results are below us. I suppose we should be winning it.

I know if we play anything like we can we should beat Zimbabwe

Nasser Hussain

"I have a lot of respect for the side we're playing against because they get the absolute utmost out of their players.

"They have great concentration, great discipline; they know their task, their limitations and they stick to it.

"But I know if we play anything like we can we should beat Zimbabwe.

"But we have to show the same discipline and concentration they show.

Olonga out

"If we match them in those areas we should beat them because we've got that little bit of class in someone like Darren Gough, Graeme Hick or Mark Ramprakash that we bring to the party."

Zimbabwe suffered a blow when new ball bowler Henry Olonga was virtually ruled out. Olonga sustained an ankle problem in the last county match at Chelmsford and is still feeling pain.

Olonga said: "I'm not running or landing on it and it's quite painful.

"It would have been very special to play at Lord's. It's pretty much confirmed that I will not be able to make it, so it's very sad. I'll try and keep chirpy in the dressing room."

However Zimbabwe have been boosted with the news that strike bowler Heath Streak has recovered from a knee injury.

Streak, who has been plagued with the problem since last October, took part in nets practice on Tuesday.

A fit Heath Streak during practice

And Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower announced he would be included in the squad.

Streak has been by far the most successful bowler during his country's eight years in Test cricket, capturing 120 wickets in 29 Tests at an average of 23.28.

For England, a winning start to their busiest home international schedule is essential as they seek to climb back at least to respectability in Test cricket.

England After losing 2-1 in four Tests against New Zealand last season and, more predictably, 2-1 on their subsequent tour of South Africa, England's attempt to move forward with 12 players under central contracts has already stalled.

Selection poser

Injuries to batsman Michael Vaughan and paceman Dean Headley have meant opener Nick Knight, swing bowler Ed Giddins and the uncapped fast bowler Steve Harmison have been added to the 10 fit contracted players.

With the selectors deciding that Michael Atherton and Mark Ramprakash will open, Knight must adapt to a middle order role in his Test comeback.

If all six batsmen are played, plus Andrew Flintoff as the all-rounder, and Darren Gough and Andrew Caddick to share the new ball, Harmison, Giddins and leg-spinner Chris Schofield are effectively contesting the remaining two places.

Schofield's inclusion may depend on the state of the pitch, while Harmison offers genuine pace, generates extra bounce and, as an investment in the future, could benefit from being thrust onto the Test stage now rather than against West Indies during the five-Test series that starts in June.