Hussain makes his point with battling century

NASSER HUSSAIN ended any doubts about his desire to continue playing international cricket with a trademark century which guided England into a commanding position against South Africa in the crucial third nPower Test.

Hussain has spent the build-up to the Trent Bridge encounter firmly underlining his commitment to England’s cause in the aftermath of his resignation as captain a fortnight ago.

Since he stepped down, Hussain has insisted that he would carry on playing as long as the selectors wanted him, and repeatedly stressed his desire to score runs for England was as strong as ever.

However, for all his impassioned statements about his willingness to carry on playing under new captain Michael Vaughan, none were as emphatic as his superb display on the opening day which made amends for his inconsistent display during the inning defeat at Lord’s.

His unbeaten 108, which included 17 boundaries, held England’s innings together after they lost two early wickets and bristled with the same determination and resolve which have highlighted some of his best international innings, and guided his team to 296 for three by the close. It also went a long way towards repaying the debt he believed he owed to the England team having dropped South African captain Graeme Smith on eight during the previous Test before watching him go on to score a superb 259.

Vaughan, who applauded Hussain’s achievement enthusiastically from the dressing room balcony, would have been particularly pleased at his efforts having singled out his predecessor as “a hell of a role model” to the rest of the squad in the build-up.

Hussain had earlier played more of an anchor role while Mark Butcher displayed the full range of his strokeplay to score his third century in 2003 with the pair forging a crucial 189-run partnership after England had slipped to a perilous 29 for two.

The captain fell in the fifth over of the day, edging Shaun Pollock low to third slip, while fellow opener Marcus Trescothick edged all-rounder Andrew Hall behind after a typically aggressive 24.

Unlike Lord’s, however, the vast experience in England’s top order defied South Africa’s efforts to make further inroads on a true batting surface with Butcher and Hussain staying together for over three hours at the crease.