Jeremy Snape Photo © CricInfo Audio: Jeremy Snape talks to Stephen Lamb about his successful one-day debut in Zimbabwe

Jeremy Snape's England career could hardly have got off to a more felicitous start. Selected for the short tour of Zimbabwe earlier this month, his performance in the first one-day international was good enough to secure the man-of-the-match award on his England debut. He took two catches and two wickets, and his first scalp was a notable one – that giant of Zimbabwean cricketers Andy Flower.

"He's ranked number one in the world, and we're all very aware of that," Snape said. "I've played against him a few times in domestic cricket, where he's played fantastically well. He did keep me awake some nights thinking about it, but on that occasion I got the better of him."

Snape's England call-up was due in part to consistent one-day performances for Gloucestershire, where he played a key role in the team's phenomenal run of five trophy wins in 1999 and 2000. Although success eluded the club in 2001, Snape's performances, particularly with the bat, made a compelling case to the England selectors.

"You dream about it when you're growing up, and over the last few years I've put in some consistent performances, but you still get nervous on your debut," Snape reflected. "I think the catch in the deep (in the first ODI) eased my nerves early on, and to get a couple of wickets was great."

Snape played in all but one of England's five internationals, featuring in an unbeaten partnership of 51 with Nasser Hussain in the third match to see England home to an unbeatable 3-0 lead. "It's important to the England side that they've got people who can finish the one-day games off, and I was pleased to be able to do it. To bat with Nasser on that occasion was obviously a great bonus."

Snape's career has taken off dramatically since his decision to leave Northants after nine years in 1999 to join Gloucestershire. "I think I just needed a little bit more of a challenge," he recalls. "I think everyone gets to a stage, in whatever job you do, where you're becoming a bit stale. A cricketer's life is very short, and I needed to start afresh, to realise some of the potential that I have."

Gloucestershire's success after Snape's arrival made them the envy of the county circuit, and he believes that teams and coaches all over the country were watching, and by 2001 adopting, their winning formula. "They've probably analysed our game more than any other club, and they've attacked us where we were most vulnerable. But I don't doubt that the learning that's taken place will allow us to move on another step, and hopefully to get back where we were."

Snape is looking forward to touring India with the England one-day squad later this year, despite the recent security concerns. "I think it's a very personal decision. We've all seen what's been happening in the news, and it is terrible. The ECB gave us the option to tour or not, and for me there was never a great doubt that I was going to tour India."

And at 28, do Snape's best years lie ahead? "International cricket has been a marvellous, very steep learning curve. If I can work very hard technically on my bowling, get more rhythm, and become more of a regular bowler at county level, then I'll be pushing for the all-rounder's slot in Test cricket. I've still got a lot to give, and I'm certainly going to be working hard to do that."

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