Lankan Lions

On this day in 1996, at Edgbaston, Nasser Hussain received a slice of luck that helped shape an important chapter in his England career.

Playing his first Test in three years, Hussain appeared to glove a delivery from India’s Javagal Srinath down the leg side when he was on 14. The appeal went unanswered, and the batsman was given a lifeline.

Hussain made the most of it. Settling in at the crease, he went on to score 128, his maiden Test century, helping England secure a memorable victory.

The hundred was particularly significant given his journey to that point. Between his Test debut in the West Indies in 1989-90 and this match, England had played 66 Tests, but Hussain had featured in only seven of them. Opportunities had been limited, and his place in the side was far from secure.

That innings at Edgbaston proved to be an important turning point. Hussain went on to score more than 5,000 Test runs and 14 centuries, while also becoming England captain. During his time in charge, he played a key role in guiding the team through a difficult period and helping lay the foundations for better days ahead.

Looking back, that missed chance on 14 became a memorable footnote to the innings that delivered Hussain’s first Test hundred and helped launch a long and successful England career.