India were favourites, says Hussain

Nasser Hussain believes England have learned from Sachin Tendulkar's example after he scored a century in the washed-out NatWest match between England and India at Chester-le-Street.

India's master batsman hit an unbeaten 105 and shared a record fourth-wicket stand of 169 with Rahul Dravid (82) to help his team post an impressive 285 for four after a shaky start.

"We really learned how to go about a one-day innings and the little master showed us that," Hussain said. "I had no complaints about our bowling or fielding because we were right in it at about 40 overs and then he just took the game away from us."

"We're very happy with what we did the other night, but we have to get our thinking caps on and work out how we're going to beat India, both in the one-dayers and Test matches, and how we're going to get through this batting line-up.

"I would say that India were favourites when it ended because when a side gets 280, you're up against it. We do have a long batting line-up and we were in a similar position to what they were, and it would have taken two special innings similar to what they produced."

Hussain also praised the umpires for doing all they could to contrive a re-start.

"I think the two umpires played it pretty well," he said. "They tried to get us back on twice, but in the end the rain just set in."

Meanwhile Tendulkar was delighted after finally reaching a hundred in a one-dayer against England.

"It has been quite some time coming," Tendulkar said. "The first one-dayer I played against England was back in 1990. I have got close before but somehow missed out. It is quite good that I have been able to achieve it now."