England's yes-no-sorry tour of India got the thumbs up yesterday from Nasser Hussain's father. Joe Hussain, who is very close to his son, told The Sun newspaper that Nasser was determined to lead England to India -- where Joe lived as a young man and Nasser until he was 5.

He said: "I've spoken to Nasser and I know he wants to go, although it's a difficult decision. "It's always been a dream of mine to see him captaining England in the country where we were born. It looked as though it might not happen but now it seems more promising." England's players have until noon on Friday to decide whether they are willing to go or not, but Joe has already decided that he will fly out to watch the first Test at Mohali and the third at Bangalore.

A proud Muslim, he can't wait to see his son playing Test cricket in India for the first time -- his only previous appearance there was in a one-day international in October 1989.

"Nasser is a very patriotic Englishman but to play over there would still be special for him."

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd