Indian-born but British National, Nasser Hussain is 17-years-old at the end of this month and looks every bit a future international.

His consistent performances from the age of eight in all grades of cricket read like the achievements of a seasoned professional: Essex Schools Bowler of the Year every year from eight to 14 years, captain of England Schools Under-15s and their leading wicket-taker in 1982 and getting the most runs and wickets the following year, captain of Essex Schools tour of Barbados in 1982 and Player of the Tour, at the age of 13 playing for Young Essex Under-19s at the Cambridge inter-county festival, and being one of the two youngest players (Mike Atherton from Lancashire was the other) to represent HMC Schools against England Schools Under-19s.

Essex's Chief Coach, Bob Richards says of Nasser, "He has got to work hard, of course, but fortunately he is very willing to do so. In fact he is always practising. He is a very exciting player and the stronger he becomes the better his batting will become, though he has yet to develop against good bowlers. He is a likeable lad and very enthusiastic, though being a legspinner he may find it more beneficial to concentrate on his batting."

Kim Parsley, Nasser's cricket master at Forest school, agrees that he has a talented boy on his hands but says he needs time to mature. "He would do well to control his temperament and learn to accept umpires decisions. After all, nobody likes being given out." He added, "We also have Michael Shepherd who is another very useful allrounder."

With his elder brother Mel Hussain recently being released by Hampshire, Nasser is well aware that it is tough to make it in the first-class game, so he wants to gain a good education first before jumping in with both feet...

"I have applied to go to either Durham or Loughborough University to study Applied Physics and would like to get some qualification behind me. But when I do think about becoming professional Essex would be my first choice as I have been very happy playing and practising with them."