Hussain looks visibly upset in a press conference

Hollioake was a free-spirited, hugely talented and immensely personable young man who announced his arrival to international innings with an audacious innings of 63 from only 48 balls against Australia at Lord's in 1997.

He made his test debut the same year at Trent Bridge along with his older brother, Adam - the only instance of two brothers making their first appearances for England at the same time in the twentieth century.

Ben played in only two Tests, but his hard-hitting, brilliant fielding and lively medium paced bowling made him ideal for the shorter form of the game.

And, on 28 January, he played in his twentieth, and final, one-day international at Kanpur. While he was not an automatic selection, he would have been close to a certainty for a place in England's squad for the World Cup.

Adam - the more extrovert and competitive of the two - recognised possibly more than anyone that Ben had a tremendous, natural eye for a cricket ball.

And he shared his brother's mounting frustration that he did not challenge for selection more keenly following the immense impact of his first match.

Hollioake: Free-spirited and hugely talented

Ben had begun to recognise the possibility of his underachieving, and had seriously considered a move from Surrey this year, before agreeing to sign another one year extension to his contract.

Although England would never offer this dreadful news as an excuse, it is understandable that they were clearly distracted after lunch and lost their last six wickets in the afternoon session.

Then, wearing black armbands, they took to the field and claimed a solitary wicket as all the flags around the Basin Reserve fluttered at half mast.

Tomorrow promises to be even more difficult as there will be a one minute silence before play begins and the players will have had a night during which to reflect.

Taking the field as a team can be a galvanising experience, and England will then attempt to focus on what will inevitably be, to many, the trivial business of a game of cricket.

New Zealand enjoyed a great deal of good fortune in reaching 70 for 1 and with the pitch taking some spin already, a slender lead by either team will be a sizeable advantage.