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| May 22, 2003 | Thursday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 19,1424 |
Hussain warns not to take tourists lightly
LONDON, May 21: England captain Nasser Hussain warned his side not to underestimate Zimbabwe ahead of Thursday’s first Test here at Lord’s.
“We expect to win. But we’ll only do that if we are thoroughly professional and play as we can,” Hussain told reporters at Lord’s on Wednesday.
“Otherwise we could come unstuck against a spirited Zimbabwe side as we did at Trent Bridge three years ago (when the Africans had the better of a draw).
Zimbabwe, who have lost several key players since their 2000 tour of England have been written off by some pundits as the weakest team to visit England in over 40 years.
But England’s build-up to Thursday’s match has been disrupted by injuries to fast bowlers Darren Gough, Andrew Caddick and Andrew Flintoff, all of whom are out of who are out of contention.
Yorkshire paceman Matthew Hoggard, who is in the squad, has been struggling with an abdominal injury. But Hussain said: “Hoggard is fit and available for selection.”
Even if Hoggard is fit, England are still likely to go into Thursday’s match with one of their most inexperienced attacks of recent years.
Lancashire quick James Anderson, who impressed at the World Cup, James Kirtley and Anthony McGrath — primarily a batsman but who can bowl medium-pace are all set to make their Test debuts.
Hussain said: “There are three or four guys in the team who could be making their debuts at Lord’s. It’s very exciting when a young player does well. There’s no better feeling for a senior player.
“But there are times when the guys are on their own and there will be some real tests of character over the next few days.”
Hussain must decide whether to go into the game with an all-seam attack or opt for spinner Ashley Giles.
“If you believe there will be five days of cricket, in those conditions you need a spinner,” said Hussain. “If you feel it’s not going to be a full game, you might not.”
England have not bowled a specialist spinner in their last three Tests at Lord’s in May.
Rival captain Heath Streak, announcing his line-up, said Zimbabwe would miss leading batsman Andy Flower.
“We are going to miss him but, hopefully, someone will stand up and become the new Andy Flower.
“I think Tatendu Taibu has really come on in the last 12 months, Sean Ervine is a good all rounder and Andy Blignaut is a match-winner.”
Hussain, who was in charge when England boycotted their World Cup match in Zimbabwe appeared unconcerned by the prospect of demonstrations by protesters opposed to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.“People have a right to protest,” Hussain insisted.
Teams:
England (from): Nasser Hussain (captain), James Anderson, Mark Butcher, Ashley Giles, Stephen Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Robert Key, James Kirtley, Anthony McGrath, Alec Stewart, Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan.
Zimbabwe: Mark Vermeulen, Dion Ebrahim, Stuart Carlisle, Grant Flower, Tatenda Taibu, Sean Ervine, Heath Streak (captain), Andy Blignaut, Travis Friend, Raymond Price, Douglas Hondo.—AFP/Reuters
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