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Nasser Hussain returns to competitive cricket today for the first time since he broke the middle finger of his right hand fielding against New Zealand on the third morning of the Lord's Test. He plays for Essex against the tourists at Chelmsford as a prelude to the altogether stiffer assignment that awaits him at the Oval next week when the Test teams conclude their four-match series, with the winner taking all.

Barring accidents the England captain will rejoin the side a more powerful man than when he left it. The decision to sack Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting makes Hussain if not a king, then a king-maker. Duncan Fletcher is a heartbeat closer to a crown. England's coach-in-waiting shares with Hussain the responsibility of moulding a better team than cricket followers have been familiar with.

The pair meet in Chelmsford tomorrow, along with David Graveney, the chairman of the new three-man panel, to pick the side. Having done that, they will convene towards the end of the month to choose the touring party for South Africa this winter. Their choice of players at that meeting will provide a clearer outline of their thoughts than the Oval selection.

What they must do is make an unambiguous statement of intent. It was the failure of Gooch and Gatting to do that which led to their deposition. Coach and captain have the full support of Lord MacLaurin, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, so they don't have to look over their shoulders. They can be as bold as they like, and they should use their deliberations to express themselves freely, and to act decisively.

They should not be afraid to say: ``The men we select for this winter's tour are the men we believe are best equipped to carry England forward into the first decade of a new century. Some players will fail, as some always do, but we ask for the understanding of the cricket-watching public. We have made mistakes but we vow to make fewer in the future. We will be tolerant, but not indulgent. We will be ambitious, but not reckless. Please bear with us.''

If they put it as simply as that, they would go on tour with public support. They would also be clear in their own minds that, with a corner turned, there could be no going back. The future will come whether they like it or not. Better to prepare for it rather than greet it with trepidation.

In their own ways the three very different men at the heart of this week's events will have mulled things over. This is what they may be thinking.

David Graveney: `` I know people regard me as a soft touch. By nature I'm a conciliator, rather like that 'very friendly lion called Parsley'. I don't like to rock the boat (not when I'm in it) and what I like most of all is seeing lots of happy faces around me at the end of the day when people are telling tales over a few drinks.

``But, really 'Gravs', you've got to get a grip. People are beginning to look at you and mutter. Yes, I promise to snap out of it. I shall go to the meeting and say what I jolly well think. I'll tell Nasser and Fletch that we have to regain public support, and we can't do that with a bunch of old lags. That's what did for Goochie and Gatt. If we don't buck up, it'll be me next.

``Nasser has done very well so far. He speaks his mind, and knows he can do because, having appointed him as captain, they're not going to sack him. I'll encourage him to follow his instincts, and try to persuade him that nobody will think any less of him if things don't improve overnight. He mentioned a blank piece of paper; I'll remind him of that.''

Nasser Hussain: ``Phew! Thank goodness that week's over. It's bad enough watching when you should be out there playing. To lose two selectors just about put the tin lid on it. It had nothing to do with me, I know, but you can't help feeling for them.

``I know I've made a good impression. That counts for something. Anyway, we must now start afresh. I've said that, and the public will expect me to match words with deeds. The thing is, I know what has to be done but can I risk it? Can I drop Stewie? So long as he's there I can never be completely free. Will he make runs in South Africa? He didn't last time. I know we've got to make a new start, which means throwing a few overboard. But can I bring myself to do it?

``How much does Duncan really know about these players? I know an outsider can see things more clearly at times, but there's something to be said for inside knowledge. If he thinks he can get the best out of batsman A and bowler B, how can I persuade him that young C is the one to go with?''

Duncan Fletcher: ``I know people see me as a strong man but, believe me, I'll be bloody glad when I can start this job. It's been a month since I was appointed and all I've read in the press is stuff about me not being on hand to see the ship go down. If I see one more reference to my holiday in Scotland I'll . . . no, calm down, big man. Ha, ha. Yes it was splendid. The kippers were fantastic. No, just the occasional dram. Yes, of course I like porridge, but not every morning.

``Now, what am I in this malarkey for? If it's to get England winning Test matches again we can't carry this crew around. What's wrong with that Thorpe? Why does he have so little to say? He's been in the team yonks. He should be a leader.

``Look at Ramprakash. He walks out to bat as if he's a condemned man. Why is Gough never fit? Why does Tufnell think acting dumb is funny?

``There are some odd things going on at the board. Every time somebody writes something rude about them they bang off a letter. That does no good. There's too much ducking and shifting of blame. They'll be after me soon if I don't look after myself. Somebody must lead. Me.

``I like Nasser but he needs my help. I can see what he's trying to do, and I agree with him on most things. We've got one big chance to change things, and that's right now. Furthermore, we both know it. If I'm going to stick around for the next two years then it must be on my terms. We must make the difficult choices right away, and live with the consequences. There isn't an alternative. That's what I'll say at the meeting.''

That is one interpretation. Publicly, of course, none of them will say anything that lets the cat out of the bag. But we shall know soon enough whether they are serious or whether their nerve fails.