Hussain sticks with number three slot

Nasser Hussain has resolved to bat through his lean patch in his treasured number three position scotching suggestions that he should drop down England's batting order until he recovers his form.

The England captain, who is averaging just 13 in the Cornhill Test series against the West Indies following a disappointing run with the bat against Zimbabwe, has said he will continue to play in the position that in recent years has served him well.

"I intend to carry on doing it," said Hussain after England's practice at Headingley ahead of the fourth Cornhill Insurance Test against the West Indies tomorrow.

"I do not feel technically too bad, I'm just not getting any runs. In South Africa last year I averaged 62 and my record speaks for itself at number three. People go through lean trots and I am going through one now.

"It's happened to better players but it's how you react to it that's important. There is no point being sulky, you just have to show a bit of fight and a bit of character," he said.

"After David Gower, there were nine or so people tried at number three but four years ago, I stepped in and have got seven hundreds in 40 Test matches with an average of near 40.

"Going through a lean patch when you are captain is not the best thing but the only person who can put it right is me by going out there and batting at three."

Hussain admitted that he and his squad were feeling tired after a busy summer of five Test matches and the NatWest series but there were still two more 'huge' matches to come and the focus was on winning them.

"It is a tiring job but that goes with the territory. Its been a long summer on top of along long hard winter but that counts for nothing over the next ten days.

"Old Trafford was a classic Test match but counts for very little come tomorrow. There were no psychological battles won or lost there. Both sides will be feeling confident."

England's selectors will not name their final eleven until the Headingley pitch has been inspected on the morning of the match but are veering towards a balance of seven batters and four seamers with Yorkshire paceman Matthew Hoggard set to wait for his chance to represent England in front of his home crowd.

"You never know how the wicket here will play," commented Hussain.

"Its been covered for the past two days which would suggest it is dry. It looks a bit of an ugly wicket - a bit rough but it could play better than it looks. The recent Test wickets here have not been bad but so much depends on the overhead conditions and forecasts.

"The four seamers have done well in the series and you don't want to split them up but Hoggard is a good swing bowler and the conditions might suit him. We will have a final look in the morning and make up our minds then."