Hussain set to make history

Nasser Hussain is on the brink of becoming England's most successful captain for 30 years, all from the comfort of his armchair.

Hussain, ruled out of the second and final Test against Pakistan with a broken thumb, has led England to four consecutive series wins to date.

A draw at Old Trafford starting on Thursday will be enough to make it five, last achieved under Ray Illingworth between 1969-71.

Illingworth's team beat the West Indies (home 2-0), New Zealand (home 2-0), Australia (away 2-0), New Zealand again (away 1-0) and Pakistan (home 1-0) before they lost a home series against the Indians. Hussain's side, ranked bottom of the Test-playing nations just two years ago, have beaten Zimbabwe (home 1-0), West Indies (home 3-1) -- the first series victory home or away for 31 years -- Pakistan (away 1-0) and Sri Lanka (away 2-1).

The victory in Pakistan at the end of last year provided another slice of history, England's first series win there since 1961-62 under Ted Dexter.

Few Englishmen, however, expect the fun to continue, with Steve Waugh's Australians due to land at Heathrow on Tuesday in preparation for a five-test Ashes series.

Whether Hussain will be able to savour the moment in any case if his side, under stand-in captain Alec Stewart, seals the series at Old Trafford is another matter.

Hussain said he had been able to enjoy England's first Test victory at Lord's since he had contributed 64 runs, the second highest score of the innings, before he was injured.

But he is not one for sitting on the sidelines. Last year, again after breaking a thumb, he had to watch from the pavilion as Stewart led the side to a Lord's victory over West Indies.

Hussain did not enjoy the sedentary experience. "I felt like a lemon," he said.

Mail Cricket Editor