County: Essex
Born: 28.3.68
Right handed batsman

Arguably England’s best captain since Mike Brearley, Hussain possesses both authority and tactical awareness.

He has the unswerving loyalty of his players and his partnership with coach Duncan Fletcher transformed the team’s fortunes, with four successive Test series wins. But then came the Aussies.

Hussain’s form with the bat has been poor, a situation not helped by some poor umpiring decisions, but showed what he is capable of with an innings of 109 in the second Test in Sri Lanka.

Missed the second Test against Pakistan with a broken thumb then suffered a broken finger in the first Ashes Test.

That forced him out of Lord's and Trent Bridge and he has only played a second XI match ahead of the match at Headingley.