Nasser Hussain

England captain Nasser Hussain would have had some decidedly mixed memories of the English summer that just came to a close. The joy of leading England to their first series victory against the West Indies since 1969 was tempered by a dreadful run with the bat. Going into the ICC KnockOut, Hussain had made just 70 runs in his last eight one-day games at an average of ten runs apiece.

Hussain underwent some anxious moments on the field after losing the toss as Bangladesh ran up a fighting total of 232. The English fielding fell slightly short of its usual high standards, although the captain himself took a couple of nifty catches to dismiss his opposite number Naimur Rehman and tailender Enamul Hoque. There was a slight tremor at the start of the England innings, Marcus Trescothick being dismissed in the fifth over to bring Hussain on strike.

In the company of the seasoned Alec Stewart, Hussain added 175 for the second wicket in 35 overs as England mastered an uninspiring Bangladeshi attack. Stewart was the dominant partner early in the stand but Hussain soon picked up the pace and stroked the ball all round the Nairobi Gymkhana. Five sixes rained from his willow, one over midwicket, and the rest hoisted in the V over long on and long off with a combination of deft footwork and an easy swing of the blade.

Hussain survived one stumping chance midway through his innings but that was a minor aberration in a clinical display that terminated agonisingly short of a maiden one-day hundred. His highest ODI score of 95 from 120 balls was peppered with nine boundaries, besides the five hits that cleared the ropes, and had brought England within sniffing distance of a victory that they duly completed by eight wickets.