The following is an extract from Test Match Cricket: C4 and the ECB's official guide to the 1st Test between England and India at Lord's, available at the ground throughout the match.

Joe Hussain

The first person Nasser Hussain rang when he was made England captain in 1999 was his father Jawab ‘Joe’ Hussain, the single most important influence in the development of his career since the early days in Madras when Nasser would play in front of the Chepauk Stadium pavilion with his brothers Mel and Abbas while Joe captained the MCC – Madras Cricket Club.

What was your playing background and life like in India?

I played one first-class match for Madras as an off-spinning all-rounder, mainly a batsman. But I didn’t get very many in that game. Venkat played in my one match and has been a lifelong friend, playing under me when I was captain of the Madras Cricket Club.

Why did you uproot and come to live in England when Nasser was seven?

It was simply about the children’s education. We had brought them up as English. It was the only language we spoke in the house and I wanted them to go to school in England. My children are all very proud of their Indian side, but have always been English in virtually everything they have done.

How proud were you, then, when Nasser toured India last winter?

I can’t put into words how proud I was. It had always been my biggest ambition for Nasser to tour India with England and it became my last great dream because he had toured every other major Test country.

At times I never thought it would happen and I was really worried when it seemed they wouldn’t go after September 11th. But I feel I’ve achieved everything now. Seeing my son all over the television and papers here, being welcomed by the Indian people as if he was one of their own, was an incredible experience.

You made it out to India last winter three times to see Nasser. What was that like?

It was incredible. I hate flying but I ended up on planes all winter. I just couldn’t keep away. I’d already been out twice, seeing Nasser in Jaipur and then seeing him play Test cricket in Bangalore where I have a lot of relatives.

Then my old friends at the Madras Cricket Club rang me to say they were planning to honour Nasser before the one-dayer at Chepauk. They rang on the Sunday and I decided I had to go so I was back on a plane on the Monday. It was one of the best nights of my life.

Did you always think Nasser would be a star?

I knew Nasser would be a professional when he was 15. He overcame the loss of his bowling skills, which happened almost overnight when he suddenly shot up in height, and was showing real promise with the bat by then. I was confident, but Test cricket was something I wasn’t sure about.

I remember as if it was yesterday the day he rang me to say that Graham Gooch had called him to say he was selected for the Nehru Trophy one-day tournament in India and then the West Indies tour of 1990.

What has been the high point of his career from your point of view?

When he rang to tell me he had been made England captain it was the best moment of my life. I know I’m biased but I think England have made great strides under my boy. You just have to look at the consistency of selection.

Four years ago it was all about chopping and changing but now people know they are going to have a fair chance and they are all pulling in the same direction.

24 Jul, 2002