BBC SPORT | Cricket | England | Hussain: 'It's hard to swallow'

Nasser Hussain said he would have preferred to have scored a duck and ended up on the winning side after hitting a century in England's NatWest Series final defeat.

"We are very disappointed but you have to give credit where it's due and India played out of their skins today," he said.

Photo Gallery from Lord's

"You can't point fingers in the dressing room. You've got to say 'all credit, you've tried hard throughout the tournament'."

England failed to win a game in this series last year, and Hussain added: "We've got to improve a few things but we're a much improved side.

"It's hard to swallow going from not winning a game to today - but this Indian side keeps coming at you - they played really well."

Have Your Say on the Final

Hussain celebrated reaching his ton with a gesture towards the media centre, pointing to the number three on the back of his shirt and offering some colourful language.

Hussain shows the press how much his ton means

There has plenty of conjecture as to whether the England captain should bat at three or lower in the order, and Hussain obviously felt he had proved a point.

But he said afterwards: "It wasn't directed at anyone in particular - one or two have been on my case for a while.

"But I'd rather have got nought today and won the game."

Ronnie Irani, voted the fans' player of the series, echoed the disappointment in the England camp.

"We're hugely disappointed, but we'll live to fight another day," he said.

"It's great as a player to know the fans support you and I hope I can give them some more entertainment in the future."

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Marcus Trescothick, who made 109, was voted player of the series.

The Somerset man has been unlucky enough to score the odd century in losing causes for his country in the past, and fate was once again unkind.

"Personally I've played pretty well this summer and I'm looking forward to carrying it on," he said.

"But I'm very disappointed today, although it was a fantastic game for the crowd to watch.

"To score 100 at Lord's is a special thing, but the boys are distraught at the moment. It's going to take a bit of time to get over this."