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 is looking for a summer double, having led his side to a 2-0 triumph over Sri Lanka in the first half of the summer.

But injuries to key players like opening batsman Marcus Trescothick, who is being groomed as Hussain's eventual successor, have made the task more difficult.

England have the added incentive of trying to avenge a 1-0 loss in India before Christmas, a series in which they acquitted themselves well despite an inexperienced bowling attack.

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 repeat of his form in the home series against India six years ago when he made 128 at Edgbaston and 107 at Trent Bridge.