Flintoff is developing as a top-class all-rounder

Andrew Flintoff's development into a match-winning all-rounder, with the bottle to persevere in the crunch moments, was a tribute to the support of Hussain and coach Duncan Fletcher.

They recognised his potential a couple of years ago and stuck with him during the fallow periods of inconsistency and weight problems.

The same will apply over the next year for the likes of Ben Hollioake, James Foster, Owais Shah and Paul Collingwood.

The England management believe these are multi-dimensional cricketers and certainly their fielding abilities mark them out as capable of shining on the big stage.

The batting against spin is a concern, however. Too often, wickets are thrown away from a desire to get after the spinners.

That will be misplaced in next year's World Cup against quality performers like Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitheran and Harbajhan Singh.

There are encouraging signs that the tail-enders are beginning to understand their responsibilities, with Darren Gough's mature partnership with Flintoff absolutely crucial in Bombay, adding 37 runs that turned the game.

Strength from results

So, after one encouraging one-day series, England start another next week in New Zealand, against opponents who are similar in approach, energy and reliance on the team ethic rather than world-class performers.

The Kiwis have shown their durability and capability in Australia where they qualified for the triangular series finals at the expense of their hosts.

Dawson impressed during his first Test series

As for the Test series, England will draw strength from the way they refused to cave in against India.

After capitulating to India's spinners in the first Test, their batsmen learned very quickly how to negate them.

Mark Ramprakash looked very mature, although he still gets out too often when well set.

Mark Butcher got better and better against spin - not formerly a forte of his -while Hussain counter-attacked bravely.

The lower order, led by Craig White and Foster, resisted stoutly and the totals racked up in the last two Tests were achieved without England's best batsman, Graham Thorpe.

Young off-spinner Richard Dawson showed promise; Matthew Hoggard continued to run in with purpose and Ashley Giles' return after injury was successful and timely.

If it hadn't rained in Bangalore, England might have easily squared the series against opposition that appeared divided and over-reliant on the great Tendulkar.

Great expectation

I expect Hoggard and the rejuvenated Andy Caddick to be a handy combination on New Zealand wickets.

Thorpe will prove he has recovered psychologically by scoring a lot of runs and Foster will continue to show his mettle, surmounting the occasional blemishes that affect every 21-year-old in top cricket.

Hussain dealt well with pressure on and off the pitch

It could be a big tour for Flintoff, now that he shows clear signs of maturity, aware that the ball can be stroked rather than bludgeoned to the boundary. His fast bowling will also be an invaluable bonus.

Above all, Hussain can look back with great pride on his return to the land of his birth.

He didn't seem to miss a trick on the field, batted bravely and was outstanding off the field in meeting all the diplomatic niceties in a country that tests you out with its pace of life and suffocating demands on your time.

At times Hussain may have found it all too much, and he did look tired at the end, but he held it all together brilliantly.

Always one step ahead on the field, there was no doubt as to who was in charge of England - the basic requirement for any international captain.

Hussain will be badly missed when he tires of the England treadmill.