England's Super Six hopes hinge on Hussain

As England prepare for their crucial World Cup match against Pakistan tomorrow it is the fitness of their captain, Nasser Hussain, which will be giving them greatest concern.

Hussain, who missed England's unconvincing victory over Namibia on Wednesday with a sore neck, is still receiving intensive treatment and remains a doubt for the Cape Town showdown.

England beat the side from south-east Africa by 55 runs, but Hussain's presence in the side was missed. As one of only five specialist batsmen in the squad, the hole created by his absence was stark. Although Hussain may not be one of the world's leading players in one-day cricket, every team requires more than four out-and-out batsmen in their starting XI.

However, it is when England are in the field that a larger shortfall appears. Without their leader, England drift about and look a less impressive outfit. There has been criticism of Hussain during the winter, with some believing he is too hard on his players at times. Watching England's limp display in the field on Wednesday, however, made it clear why he is. Hussain is like a terrier nipping at the ankles of his troops all the time to keep them on their toes. He does not accept a mis-field as an occupational hazard and, while other captains seem prepared to shrug their shoulders and get on with the game, he lets his colleagues know where they stand.

This is not the first time standards have dropped when Hussain has been away and the fact it seldom occurs when he is in charge is one of the reasons why he is held in such high esteem. Captaincy, and in particular a captain's man-management style, is a constantly developing art. A good captain needs to be the sort of character who can get away with lambasting you one minute and being your best mate the next.

To be able to do that he needs to have earned the respect of the players, because only then will they forgive him his inconsistent nature. But all captains go about their job in different ways.

Graham Gooch gained total support from the way he played, prepared and conducted himself on and off the field. He was not inspirational but led by example. Thatwas different from Mike Brearley, who I never played under but is the man many regard as the best England captain. Brearley was renowned as a great tactician and man-manager. Because he was an intelligent man, everybody was prepared to believe his actions were correct. Most of the time they were.

Mike Atherton, like Gooch, led by example. Through opening the batting he looked his opponents in the eye and never took a step back when they were at their fiercest. He enjoyed tactically jousting with his opposing number but was not one for motivational speeches.

Hussain leads with greater passion than the others. He is not as good a player as Gooch or Atherton and not as good a tactician as Brearley, so respect has to be earned elsewhere. Like Keith Fletcher, the captain he is most like, Hussain is autocratic, knows what he wants, has an active and open mind and a commitment to winning. His side know that nobody out there is trying harder or will give more to the cause. It will take a lot to stop him playing tomorrow.

Other news on the fitness front for England was mixed. Ian Blackwell, who ricked his back while batting against Namibia, is making slow progress. The scan on Wednesday proved inconclusive and the all-rounder continues to have treatment. There was more encouraging news about Ashley Giles. The Warwickshire spinner is at last recovering from tonsillitis and practised with the side for the first time in a week.