BULAWAYO (Zimbabwe), Oct 9: Somerset opener Marcus Trescothick could lead England for the first time in the fourth One-day International against Zimbabwe Wednesday.

Captain Nasser Hussain is struggling with a calf strain, which he picked up during England’s four-wicket victory in the third match in Harare Sunday. England lead the series 3-0.

“Nasser seems confident that he is over his injury,” coach Duncan Fletcher told a news conference Tuesday.

“It’s one of those injuries that you think is all right but is pretty dangerous. We will have to be very sure tonight that we make the right decision.”

England will have a light practice in the afternoon before deciding on their team on Tuesday night.

“Marcus might lead the side, but it’s a situation that is forced upon us rather than by choice,” Fletcher said. “Ideally what you want are players out there with a lot of experience to lead the side.

“Graham Thorpe does want to do it, but it’s just something that’s forced on us because Thorpe’s not an experienced captain either and you look at the situation and say, ‘maybe it’s time to give Trescothick a run’.

“Having been on tours with Tres you get a feel about individuals and he shows good leadership qualities, but you’re never sure until the pressure is on.

“He has a good cricket brain and good man management skills.”

Fletcher said England could blood a few new players in the remaining two matches.

“We will be considering some experimentation,” he said. “We had a meeting just to throw it around and just confirm what we want to do tonight at some stage.

“It has been an interesting tour and we still want to see a bit more of certain players. It has definitely been a worthwhile tour so far.”

Meanwhile, Fletcher backed wicket-keeper James Foster after his angry exchange with Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower during the third One-day International.

Foster, Flower and Hussain received severe reprimands from International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Colonel Naushad Ali after the incident.

The incident occurred after an appeal for caught behind went against England when Flower was on 99. The Zimbabwean went on to score 142 not out.

“The only thing wrong on Sunday was the inexperience Foster showed when the appeal for a catch was turned down” Fletcher told a news conference. “Outside of that I think it was an individual who tried to defend himself from an experienced player and I saw nothing wrong with his actions after that.

“He threw the ball down and I think that’s the type of inexperience I mean and he has to learn to control his emotions.”—Reuters