Six weeks of glorious cricket action get underway on Friday when England start the World Cup ball rolling with the opening match of the tournament at Lord's.

Essex captain Nasser Hussain, who has boosted his hopes of a place in the starting line-up after some outstanding displays in recent days, backs England to still be very much part of the World Cup scene when the tournament moves towards a fantastic finale in June.

He said: "It doesn't surprise us that a lot of our popular press are writing off our chances, but we genuinely feel that we're in with a real opportunity of winning.

"Under home conditions it would be very dangerous to write us off. Apart from that I would have to generally follow the bookies and go for the other semi-finalists being Australia, South Africa and Pakistan.

"It's always wrong to write anyone off in the one-day game. So many sides have great players who can more or less swing a match with their own individual performance.

"If England don't win it, my own sneaking feeling is for Australia. They've got a good batting line-up and three very good seam bowlers in Glenn McGrath, Damien Fleming and Adam Dale."

Whether he is an active member of the side from the start, or on the sidelines bidding to break into the action, Hussain is more than anything hoping for a tournament to show cricket in it's best possible light.

He said: "The World Cup being played in our own backyard could give the game of cricket over here a massive boost generally.

"We've fallen back so far behind soccer as the national sport over here and I think it's a real tragedy that so many youngsters never get the chance to try the game at school.

"It's certainly better in Essex than in many counties, but I want this competition to be so exciting, and produce so many stars, that youngsters who've watched it on TV will be knocking on the doors of their PE teachers afterwards and demanding to play cricket at school," the Essex favourite added.

On his own situation, Hussain is realistic. He said: "I'd love to be in the England side right from the start, but if I'm not I'll continue working hard and trying to force my way into the line-up.

"I certainly won't be wishing for other players to fail to get in. A lot has been written in the past couple of weeks about skipper Alec Stewart and Nick Knight struggling for form.

"However, both of them are big game players and I'm sure they will come good once the World Cup starts in earnest. This is very much a team affair and whatever the selectors decide about the best starting line-up on the day that's okay with me.

"Getting results with the game being played in a good spirit in front of well-behaved and supportive crowds would make for a perfect World Cup. I can't wait for it to start," added the Essex skipper.

England were completing their World Cup build-up today against Hampshire, while Hussain holds a major event of his benefit year tomorrow night with the World Cup Ball at the London Hilton.

Essex hero - Nasser Hussain is hoping his recent performances - including 82 at Chelmsford against England on Sunday - will be enough to get him into the national side for the Cricket World Cup

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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