Gemaal Hussain's persistence pays handsome dividends

Gemaal Hussain has two five-wicket hauls this season

Gemaal Hussain is living proof that persistence and determination can be as important as natural talent in the highly competitive world of top-class sport.

The 26-year-old fast bowler is midway through a two-year contract with Gloucestershire and is currently the fourth highest wicket-taker in the County Championship.

Yet while Hussain is now regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in the domestic game, just a year or two ago he was struggling to make the grade.

Playing the game he loves for a living is all a far cry from trying to keep himself motivated in local league cricket.

"I don't think it's ever too late," Hussain told BBC Radio Bristol. "I was trialling with counties for a good three years, while playing club cricket in Birmingham and Bradford.

"I think that taught me quite a lot. You need to perform at the right time under the right eyes and thankfully Gloucestershire put their faith in me.

"I'm just really pleased that it's going well so far."

Gloucestershire must be thinking along the same lines as Hussain's accurate displays have helped them reach third place in the second division, having won four of their five games.

Hussain has snapped up 34 wickets, at an average of 21.47, including two five-wicket hauls.

He looks back on his time before joining Gloucestershire, when he was trying to hold down a job away from cricket as well as attempting to catch the eye of the counties, as part of a valuable learning experience.

It was difficult to stick to a normal nine to five job as well. In fact, I was working at a few places where I had to resign because they wouldn't give me time off for trial games Gemaal Hussain

Having studied for a sports science degree at Leeds University, the London-born paceman had a hunch that there was still a chance he could make it in county cricket.

"There was more than the odd rejection and there was a lot of travelling, which all relied on my own expense and funding.

"I had to go out there and make myself available. That's hard to pre-plan because you get pretty short notice.

"It was difficult to stick to a normal nine-to-five job as well. In fact, I was working at a few places where I had to resign because they wouldn't give me time off for trial games."

Hussain, though, was convinced, he was on the right track and that his doggedness would pay off in the end.

"I was prioritising my cricket but it is quite tough to take time out for the games.

"I always had the belief and I'm just glad it has come together at the right time."

Now he is concentrating all his energies on trying to help Gloucestershire gain promotion this year.

"That is the main aim and we're all focused on that.

"We need to stay fit and keep working hard but I'm backing us to do really well.

"I think we're in a really good place as a team."