Despite a 1-0 defeat in India and a drawn series in New Zealand, skipper Hussain returned home with his reputation enhanced.
He was England's highest scorer over the winter with 471 runs, which took him past 4,000 in Test cricket.
Made a vital 106 in the first innings at Christchurch, laying the foundation for a 98-run victory, but perhaps his greatest satisfaction was derived from the advances made by Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard, who proved themselves to be genuine Test-class performers.
Hussain was well received in India, the land of his birth, although his tactical approach caused controversy when he asked his bowlers to bowl a negative leg-stump line to Sachin Tendulkar.
Awarded the OBE in the New Year Honour's list, he will be hoping for a return to winning ways this summer and has made Test centuries against both India and Sri Lanka in the past.
