Hussain - playing on Photo CricInfo

Captain Nasser Hussain plans to defy the pain from his troublesome groin injury to lead England in the Test series decider starting in Colombo on Thursday.

After today's three-wicket triumph in Kandy, Hussain said: "I think with it being such an important Test I'll probably play, just grin and bear it and think about the one-day internationals after that."

Hussain tweaked his left groin while fielding. "I think I did it sliding into the rope on the previous day and I was protecting that for a day or so and I've probably overdone it and tweaked my left groin."

But he went out to bat in England's second innings without a runner and added a vital 61 runs with Graham Thorpe for the third wicket.

"I spoke to the physio about it and he said that as long as I didn't go over the top with the running with Thorpe that I wouldn't worsen it and I don't think I have," he added.

But now he has precious little time to recover before the start of the Third Test. Following a consultation with physiotherapist Dean Conway, Hussain knows he will have to put up with the discomfort if he is to play in the match.

He said: "The physio had a look at it last night and this morning and it's a five-to-ten day injury from when I did it and there's four days to the next Test so it's going to be close," he revealed.

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