FORMER England captain Nasser Hussain believes that Chris Tremlett and Dimitri Mascarenhas, left, could both play one-day international cricket - at number eight.

Hussain, speaking ahead of England's crucial NatWest series match against the West Indies at Lord's today, reckons either of the two in-form Hampshire players could fill the position occupied by debutant Sajid Mahmood in Sunday's six-wicket defeat against New Zealand.

He said: "Either could play at number eight for England but what Chris Tremlett needs to do first is work on his batting because England already have a number 11 in Steve Harmison, who's a definite. Once he does that he will not be far away at all.

"I was impressed with him when I played against Hampshire for Essex earlier this season. That was on a seaming, bouncing wicket at the Rose Bowl but he seems to have put on a yard of pace over the last 12 months and was one of the best bowlers I faced at the beginning of the season."

Hussain, who is now retired, added: "Dimi Mascarenhas is not a million miles away from being an international player either.

"His name popped up at meetings when I was captain and his stats have improved steadily. He's had a fantastic year or two years. But you just have to wonder whether his type of bowling is suitable for one-day cricket in other parts of the world.

"He's a very fine bowler in this country but bowling to Adam Gilchrist in Sydney or on the sub-continent is a bit different."

A defeat for England today would mean that Thursday's match at the Rose Bowl between New Zealand and the West Indies is effectively a warm up for Saturday's Lord's final.

But if England win their last group match, the West Indies could still qualify for the final on run rate if they beat the Kiwis at West End in two days' time.

Hussain added: "England have improved beyond all recognition at Test level but are still searching for their best one-day team.

"We've never been terrible at one-day cricket, we've won NatWest finals and done well abroad, but at the moment it is a case of mid-table mediocrity. Duncan Fletcher wants to move us out of that but that will only come with time and experience."