Tributes flow in for Nasser Hussain

'Hussain was a great tactician' - Tendulkar

Wisden Cricinfo staff

June 1, 2004

Sachin Tendulkar was all praise for Nasser Hussain © Getty Images

Tendulkar also said there was nothing wrong with Hussain's tactics of asking Ashley Giles to bowl a negative line during England's last tour of India. "Whatever he did was within the regulations of the game -- there was no stage where he broke any laws. He was a great tactician," said Tendulkar. "He was one of the best captains I've played against and a tough character. I'm sure people in England, and all over the world, are going to miss a character like him."

Tendulkar is the latest in a long a long line of cricketers to pay tribute to Hussain. "He was one of those guys that fancied being in very tough situations, similar to Steve Waugh," said Allan Donald. "Hussain was a tough opponent who never backed down from a challenge." Donald also expressed surprise at Hussain's decision to retire. "I must say it's a bit of a shock. I thought he was going to finish the series against New Zealand and West Indies and finish on a high at the end of the summer.

"The way he batted at Lord's was typical of Hussain at his very best, and I think he's in really good form at the moment," said Donald. "But everybody comes to that crossroad. I've been there and maybe I didn't finish in such a great way for myself. But he probably wanted to be seen finishing on a high."

Jimmy Adams, the former West Indian captain and a master of the barnacle-on-rock school of batsmanship, also expressed surprise at Hussain's decision to call it quits. "I think it's strange he's retiring seeing as he's just scored a Test hundred," he said. "There must be reasons outside cricket because his cricket looks to be pretty good at the minute. Only Nasser knows how he feels and it can't have been an easy decision considering his recent form. But what better way to leave Test cricket?" There's no disputing that.

© Cricinfo

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Players/Umpires

Jimmy Adams

Allan Donald

Nasser Hussain

Sachin Tendulkar

Teams

England