ESSEX CCC pair Nasser Hussain and James Foster flew out to start England's tour of India on Tuesday morning, ready to face some of the world's finest cricketers in tropical locations across the Indian sub-continent.o

In the run up to this tour, captain Nasser has assumed the mantle of diplomat, simultaneously fielding questions under the media's glare while trying to focus on the greatest challenge he has faced.

While his more illustrious clubmate has been the focus of media attention, Essex and England wicket keeper Foster has been quietly preparing for the chance of a lifetime.o

The 21-year-old, who lives in Woodford Green, is currently studying for a degree in sports science at Durham University.

Luckily for him, they have accommodated his cricketing commitments, turning a blind eye to his bunking off the odd lecture to drive up and down the motorway for Essex games.

He toured with England in the recent, and highly successful tour of Zimbabwe. During that tour he proved that the big time won't faze him when hebecame involved in a controversial exchange with local skipper Andy Flower.

Foster demonstrated a strength of character that both Nasser and coach Duncan Fletcher later publicly backed.

Joe Hussain, Nasser's father and Foster's old coach, told the Guardian that he has high hopes for his former protege: "I spoke to him in Zimbabwe after that stupid business with that Flower fellow and I gave him some encouragement."

Such solidarity has instilled a confidence beyond his years and helped to secure his selection for the India tour.

Something of a late-comer to cricket, he developed as a player under the auspices of Nasser's father at the Ilford cricket centre. "He (Foster) came on leaps and bounds from the age of 13/14. I could see something in him, he's got guts and determination which is the most important thing.", that's certainly something to which Flower will testify.

But with England flying out to face the finest spin bowling in the world, will guts and determination be enough?

"That'll be a big question for all the batsmen, not only young Foster. This bowling is something you've got to see to believe. Anil Kumble, Vikram Solanki, on their own wickets they're a handful...the best in the game."

"He's going on the hardest tour. After this, the tours to other countries will be much easier."

Foster is only concentrating on the current tour at the moment, but over the past few weeks, he has taken the security considerations into account and has decided that the opportunity to further his career outweighs any fears he may have over safety in the region.

Joe Hussain is also very calm about the tour and has no worries for his son and the rest of the touring party.

"India is a great place. Indians are mad about cricket, it's a second religion to them. I've been speaking to quite a few friends in Delhi, Madras, Bangalore, and they said life is normal there."By Tom Burgess