Lord's Test, Day 4
Sunday, May 19, 2002 When we started this innings, we set our stall out to bat for two days, so the job is only half-done. We were 203 for 3 first time around and it all went wrong, so we are well aware we've still got a hell of a fight tomorrow. That said, things couldn't have gone better for us today and I'm delighted with the effort we put in.

Sri Lanka were pretty tired in that last session, but we know they'll come back at us hard tomorrow. They've spent a long time in the field – two days now, just like we did – but we've got to keep our concentration for at least another two sessions. The ball will be reverse-swinging again tomorrow – and the forecast is for more sun, so we have to save this match by ourselves. Sri Lanka are still the only side that can win this match – we can't rely on the weather.

Butch and I were batting pretty comfortably in that last session, until the light faded rapidly towards the end and I took one on the shoulder. I made a pretty hasty exit the moment the light was offered, and I'm feeling quite sore at the moment – both my shoulder and my forearm are packed in ice, but it's nothing serious – only a flesh wound.

Obviously I am delighted for Michael Vaughan. I have always said that he is a natural opener and the clear successor to Michael Atherton, and both he and Marcus Trescothick have got a big, big future in the England side. They are a great combination and the contribution they both make to the dressing-room – and the help they give me – is invaluable. I can't see any reason why they shouldn't go on to be major players for England for the next six or seven years. That may be a big pronouncement to make, but I can see them making upwards of 6000 runs each.

Vaughnie had an anxious time on 99, and we were all pretty nervous for him in the dressing-room. He's got quite a habit of silly dismissals – what with handling the ball and stepping over one in a one-day match – so we wouldn't have been surprised if he'd done an Athers and run himself out for 99! But it was a special moment for him – you don't get up on that board in the dressing-room for nothing.

It can be tough hanging around waiting to bat when the chips are down, but to be honest, we didn't mind much today. After all, it's about time we did do some hanging-about. As I say though, the job's not done yet. We've not done anything different this innings – there've been no big chats or anything of the sort, so there's no point in getting too giddy about one good day. After all, it's only yesterday that we were all being written off.

More Nasser Hussain

No Excuses
'The conditions were alien'

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