Nasser Hussain

After making his Test debut as a 21 year old, Nasser quickly matured as a County and International player, achieving success as a batsman of superior technique and the patience to build a big innings score. Over the years Nasser improved tremendously with a wide range of strokes, excelling in the drive and cut, but with sound defence and was a superb fielder in any position.

In 1996 he was appointed as Vice Captain to Michael Atherton and then to Alec Stewart in May 1998. In June 1999 he was named England captain after 39 Tests. This was also the year he was made Essex captain and was called into the World Cup squad.

As England Captain, Nasser won four consecutive Test series, a feat only matched by WG Grace and Mike Brearley and England climbed from last to 3rd in the ICC Test Championship ranking table.

After a disappointing 2003 ICC World Cup in South Africa, Nasser relinquished the ODI captaincy and then resigned as Test captain, after 45 Test matches, during the Test series against South Africa in the summer of 2003.

In the summer of 2004 Nasser retired from cricket having scored 103 not out against New Zealand in the summer's first Test - scoring the winning run at Lord's with his favourite shot, a cover drive. Nasser retired as the eighth on the list of England's most capped players.

Since his retirement Nasser has joined Sky Sports for whom he works at home and abroad, giving his expert views during England Tests, One-Days and domestic cricket matches. Nasser is accomplished in all areas of media work and in addition to his Sky Sports work he currently contributes a weekly column to the Daily Mail.

Away from cricket, Nasser's hobbies include golf, football, reading and spending time with his family.

"Hail a true British hero ... as the first non-white man to captain England, Nasser Hussain was far more than just a professional cricketer. He was also an icon of Britain's new multicultural society."  Leo McKinstry (Daily Mail) May 28, 2004.