When they go into their series decider against India next week, England will more than ever need a captain's innings from Nasser Hussain. But Hussain's modest record at The Oval suggests England should not expect too much. Hussain averages only 19.41 from six Tests there, with more ducks (three, including a pair in 2000) than half-centuries (two). And he only averages 11 in one-day internationals there as well. Hussain is not the only one who struggles: Mark Butcher averages 13.66 on his home ground, and Michael Vaughan managed only 19 runs in his one Test, against West Indies two years ago.

Somebody, in Hussain parlance, is going to have to come to the party, or put his hand up. Maybe England should look to Graeme Hick, who has thundered four fifties and a century in his five Tests on this ground.

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