Hussain still got England role to play

Nasser Hussain today insisted that he is as passionate as ever about playing for England and trying to make them winners.

Rumours of discontent at Lord's during South Africa's victory in the second Test have led to a mountain of speculation about the Essex batsman's future.

It was even suggested at the weekend, after Hussain had been retained for the third match of the series at Trent Bridge, starting tomorrow, that the excaptain was on notice to be more of a team-man.

But Hussain, who stood down in favour of Michael Vaughan following the drawn First Test at Edgbaston, today looked the media in the eye and said: "As long as Michael Vaughan and the England setup want me to play I'm desperate to play and desperate to do well for England.

"I think I've proved that over the last few years, but if I have to keep proving that then I will do. I will try to do it in this Test and the next.

"The people I admire are those who go out there and give it absolutely everything and that is what I will do as long as England want me to.

"I'll be the first one there, giving it my utmost, anywhere in the world. If I get a call saying we want you to play for England, I'll be there.

"A lot of what I'm about is proving people wrong, whether as a batsman or as a captain."

And what of Hussain's role at Trent Bridge?

"They need me to score runs, catch the ball at cover and put my arm around the young lads every now and then," he said.