There is something very English about Hussain, despite his Indian birthplace. He appears measured and calculating. His work at the crease is similarly solid rather than spectacular.

He has proved a fine captain of a workmanlike Test team.

Solanki, like Hussain, was born in India and bred in England. His uninhibited batting, however, seems to have remained loyal to his Asian roots.

His delightful century against South Africa at The Oval last week was full of exotic, impulsive, wristy flourishes.

The style was no surprise. The fact that he survived as long as he did was.

Solanki has always looked dashing but has tended to deal in one-day cameos rather than lead roles.

On Saturday, he was caught behind off a no-ball having just reached the 20s. Reprieved thanks to Shaun Pollock's two-inch over-step, he went on to make 106 at a run-a-ball.

Fellow opener Marcus Trescothick who also scored a century in that match said: "It was fantastic being at the other end...(it was a) typical Vikram innings, really.

"I have seen bits and pieces of it but I have never seen him play to that standard against such a good team."

TRADITIONAL PASSION

England boasts large communities with direct links to the sub-continent. Their traditional passion for cricket has long been seen as a valuable future resource for the national team.

In recent seasons, however, there has not been a significant breakthrough.

Several players, like batsmen Aftab Habib (born in Reading, two Tests, average off 8.66), Usman Afzaal (born in Rawalpindi, three Tests, average of 16.6) and Owais Shah (Karachi-born, 15 one-dayers, average of 21.76), have been tried without immediately looking the part.

Solanki, of course, did not immediately convince either.

A compulsive driver, he survived for eight one-dayers in 2000 before being ditched, his highest score 24, and had to wait until this season before getting another game.

It remains to be seen whether his majestic century proves yet another false dawn.

Michael Vaughan, however, who replaced Hussain as the one-day captain of a totally restructured England team, is clearly a fan.

"Vikram is that kind of player where one day he will get a low score and then against South Africa he came out and played exceptionally well," he says. "We accept that.

"He's just a natural stroke player. We're not asking him to change his way at all."

BEST FIELDER

Solanki, who bats with his hands jammed down at the bottom of the handle, Saurav Ganguly-style, is also the best fielder in the side, patrolling the point region.

Against Pakistan earlier in June he parried a Rashid Latif slash above his head before taking the rebound in a show of athleticism reminiscent of Jonty Rhodes.

Hussain, the man from Madras (and Essex), bowed out of the England one-day side after the World Cup, arguing that he no longer deserved his place.

He scored just one century in 88 matches, averaging a fraction over 30. His alliance with coach Duncan Fletcher, however, remains central to the Test team's fortunes.

Solanki, born more than 1,000 miles down the road in Udaipur, is now averaging a fraction under 30 in his 13 one-dayers.

His combined batting and fielding promise an extended run. There has been no suggestion, though, of a Test chance.

A second one-day innings of substance, however, with a few non-compulsive leaves outside off stump, might make that a possibility.