NASSER HUSSAIN last night vowed to keep on nagging his bowlers as he prepared to lead England's most nave pace attack in living memory.

Hussain has been heavily criticised by a number of former England Test stars, notably Ian Botham, all of whom have claimed he talks to his seamers far too much.

But as he looked forward to Durham's first Test match, England captain Hussain insisted he would be "stupid" if he did not continue to cajole his raw seam battery from mid-off.

England's three pacemen who face Zimbabwe today will have just seven caps between them, with Durham's Stephen Harmison the most experienced Test bowler after six appearances.

And as Chester-le-Street's big day approached, Hussain told dissenters that it's good to talk and admitted he would not bow to their protests.

He said: "I talk to bowlers because, unless I'm stupid, I believe that's the job of the captain. And I won't change what I do because of what people say.

"People on the periphery can comment as much as they like but what my team and what my bowlers view of me as captain is the only thing that counts.

"Darren Gough has told me to shut up a few times and I've done so. And I don't need to talk to James Anderson much because he thinks quickly on his feet.

"We have a plan and I make sure the bowlers know what the plan is. I help them through difficult situations and keep communicating so everyone knows what they have to do.

"With us losing Matthew Hoggard, we're going to have an even more inexperienced bowling attack on a better wicket than at Lord's. I hope we can come through it like we did at Lord's.

"Having an inexperienced attack makes it more difficult to win Test matches. Look at Australia: they've found it's easier to win with bowlers with 300 or 400 Test wickets in their side.

"But it's rewarding to see James Anderson get five wickets, or hopefully to see Steve Harmison get five wickets here.

"It's much more rewarding to see a young lad do well and to see his life changing in front of him. I hope someone can do it here."

Richard Johnson is expected to be given his England debut today ahead of James Kirtley, who was 12th man at Lord's a fortnight ago.

Anderson will take the new ball after his five-wicket haul in London, while Hussain confirmed yesterday that spinner Ashley Giles will play.

Meanwhile, Hussain issued a stark warning against the dangers of complacency as England looked to record a series whitewash.

He is anxious to ensure they will not repeat the mistake that almost saw Zimbabwe snatch a 1-1 draw in 2000 after losing the first Test.

Only bad weather saved England from a likely defeat then, and Zimbabwe have been buoyed by a good batting display in a tour match against Middlesex.

A poor England performance this week would rain on Durham's parade as it becomes this country's first new Test venue since 1902.

After crushing Zimbabwe by an innings and 92 runs at Lord's, when England took 19 wickets on the third day, Hussain's men are good enough to complete another victory with plenty to spare.

But he spelt out the importance of not taking the tourists for granted.

Hussain said: "I've told the players to make sure they don't think 19 wickets fall in a day regularly in Test cricket.

"The last day we played, we had a great day. But that's not normal; in fact, it was abnormal.

"We have to have a mindset in this game where we're not scared of a lot of hard work.

"I don't want the boys to react badly if Zimbabwe are putting on a stand; they mustn't panic.

"You get out of Test cricket what you put into it. We put in a professional performance at Lord's and we got a thoroughly convincing win.

"If we give less here, we will get less out of it. We have to keep our professional approach."

Hussain has refused to let sentiment cloud his judgment when he decides who opens the attack for England if they bowl first this morning.

Harmison has confessed he is desperate to bowl the first ball in a Riverside Test, but Hussain is remaining pragmatic.

He added: "If I believe that's the best thing to do to win a Test match, then I will do it. If there are good cricketing reasons why Steve should bowl first then he will.

"He almost took the new ball in the second innings at Lord's because it didn't swing. It might be an option here, but if it's going to swing then the swing bowlers will get the new ball."