He's shown as a player that he rises to the occasion Hussain on Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff will lead the team after a fourth knee operation put paid to Vaughan's hopes of making the tour.

And Hussain told BBC Five Live Sport: "In a funny sort of way, it takes the pressure off the side because everyone is writing them off now.

"England generally play better cricket when people are writing them off."

Interview: Former England captain Nasser Hussain

Hussain acknowledged that Vaughan would be a big loss, both for his leadership and for his batting ability.

"He was 15, 20% towards the reason why England won the Ashes last time.

"When all of us round the country couldn't breathe for about a month, wishing and hoping that England would win the Ashes, our leader was out in the middle keeping calm and keeping relaxed. I think that was his greatest asset.

"He's also going to be missed as a player. On the last tour out there, he was arguably the best player on either side, and he played with flair and style," he said.

Hussain was on the losing side in four Ashes series

Hussain insisted that England were right to stick with Vaughan as their official captain, even though Flintoff will be leading the side until early next year.

"For me, loyalty is the most important thing in cricket and that's where (coach Duncan) Fletcher has been incredibly good with his players. There's a loyalty in both directions.

"Michael Vaughan is having these knee problems because of what he's given to England over the last four or five years. England should pay him back by keeping him as captain for as long as it is a feasible situation."

England only need to draw the series in Australia to retain the Ashes and Hussain believes Flintoff will meet the extra challenge facing him.

"Previous captains, (including) myself, were always asking a lot of Andrew Flintoff and now we're asking incredible things of him - be an all-rounder, go to Australia, captain England, have a benefit year, have a young family, it's going to be a hard time.

"But if anyone can do it, Andrew Flintoff can. He's shown as a player that he rises to the occasion and apart from maybe one day at Lord's, he's been exemplary as a captain."