DOB: 28.3.68 County: Essex Test debut: 1st Test v West Indies, Kingston, 1990 One-day international debut: v Pakistan, Nagpur 1989 Right hand batsman, captain

Hussain returned home from December's 1-0 Test series defeat in India hailed as one of England's finest ever captains, and the recipient of an OBE.

His leadership was not without controversy as he was criticised for asking his bowlers to use a negative line to Indian star Sachin Tendulkar.

But he was well-received in India, and was widely credited for giving a young side the mental strength needed to succeed in one of the toughest environments.

A solid, and occasionally spectacular, one-day batsman, Hussain's main frailty is a propensity to hook which sees opponents regularly place a fielder at deep square leg.