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Friday, 3 January, 2003, 16:20 GMT
Nasser Hussain: Captain Courageous
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![]() His view has fuelled a debate which threatens to become ever more bewildering.
And while Hussain says politicians should now decide, he adopted a seemingly different stance little more than a year ago, when England nearly abandoned their tour of India as the hosts proposed fielding an ineligible player. Then he insisted "everyone should adhere to what the governing body (the ICC) says... including me as England captain". Adding to the confusion, Tony Blair and the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, have let it be known they're against the trip and the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association, David Graveney, has said if he was asked, he wouldn't go to Zimbabwe.
Just as it did in the dark days of apartheid, cricket has become embroiled in the controversy of whether sporting sanctions would help or harm the embattled victims of an odious African regime. And again, the argument rages within the country's borders, as e-mails to BBC's Talk Sport testify. "Please let England play. Political bickering is for governments," says Hungry Zimbabwean. Question of courage? At the same time, one of his countrymen, Amos Ncube, pleads: "If the Western world has an ounce of decency left, they will not play in our country."
Lacking courage is an unfamiliar accusation for Hussain. But then his job has never been easy. "It's one thing being friendly old Nasser Hussain," he says, "and another, England captain, trying to get the best out of my team in a really tough series." On that occasion, he was talking about India, who won the series against England at the end of 2001. But days later, the general improvement in England's cricketing fortunes under Hussain's leadership was recognised by the award of an OBE. Hailed as the most astute strategist and the most successful captain since Mike Brearley 20 years earlier, there was also unstinting praise for his ability, together with team coach Duncan Fletcher, to create an impressive team spirit.
Hussain's pride at leading England has been evident, even though he was born in Madras, where his father played for the city's cricket club. The family moved to Ilford when he was six and while his two older brothers shared his ability, they didn't match his determination. Nasser graduated from Essex Schools to the county team and after acquiring a degree in natural sciences from Durham University along the way, he was picked for England in 1990. Nine years later, having proved himself an accomplished batsman and fielder, he was made captain, an appointment that might have come earlier, but for doubts about his rebellious nature.
It's another aspect of his passion for playing for England, a patriotism he wishes was shared by British-born Asian cricket fans. "For others, maybe it isn't so clear where their loyalties lie, but for me the position is easy - everything I am is English." The humiliating nature of England's defeat in Australia means Hussain's leadership qualities have been called into question. 'Fraternise? No way' Of course, it soon seemed obvious that he'd made a mistake in electing to field after winning the toss in the first Test in Brisbane.
And he scorns the suggestion that England's prospects might benefit from having an informal post-match chat with the Aussies. "That is absolute drivel," says Hussain. "You go into their dressing-room, have a beer and suddenly you are Don Bradman? The learning is done in the nets and by actually watching how these people play in the middle." Nasser Hussain's courage, dedication and enthusiasm are undimmed by Ashes adversity. "Through it all I've enjoyed the battle against the Australian bowling," he says, remarkably. He has indicated that if his country needs him to lead England beyond that contentious World Cup, he'll heed the call. |
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30 Dec 02 | Politics
18 Jan 02 | England
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