Nasser Hussain resigns as England one-day captain

Nasser Hussain has announced that he is resigning as England's one-day captain. Speaking at a press conference in Port Elizabeth shortly after England's elimination from the World Cup as a result of Zimbabwe's match with Pakistan in Bulawayo being abandoned because of rain, he said that he can no longer justify his place in the side and would like to hand over the reins to a younger man. However, he is also adamant that he wants to continue as captain of the Test side if he is still required to do so.

Hussain said: "The time has come down to stand down as one-day captain, although I would like to carry on as England Test captain if the selectors want me to still do that.

"There are people younger than 30 who can come in, there are some very fine players. It's a good opportunity. But I would reiterate I am very keen to continue to captain the Test side.

"I firmly believe England are a better side with me as captain. My team have always responded to me but I also believe I don't warrant a place in the side any more."

It was after the last World Cup in England in 1999 that Hussain took over from Alec Stewart, having not been in the original 15-man squad. It was only when Michael Atherton's back injury resulted in his withdrawal that Hussain got into the side.

There were criticisms from certain quarters of the media last summer about his suitability to bat in the key number three position in the one-day side. He answered that criticism in memorable fashion with a hundred against India in the NatWest Series final against India at Lord's.

Now he has come to the conclusion that the end of the four-year World Cup cycle is the time to step down from this form of the game. It is a decision hastened by what he has had to endure this winter. He was frustrated that a series of injuries did not allow him to lead a full-strength side onto the field during the Ashes series in Australia, and then had to contend with the political wrangling about the Zimbabwe security situation prior to the World Cup. The narrow loss to Australia on Sunday and subsequent elimination from the tournament was the final straw.

"I am mentally and physically drained after this winter. I intend to take two months completely off," he said. "I will think about myself and my batting. What I have got to do is what is best for the team. I have retired from one-day cricket and someone else can lead the side.

"My gut feeling with this one-day side is that a young core of people should take this side on into the future."

Now speculation will centre on who replaces Hussain. Marcus Trescothick was thought to be the leading contender, but he has suffered a run of poor form and was overlooked for the job when Hussain withdrew from the World Cup match against Namibia. Alec Stewart was put in charge for that one.

Michael Vaughan would be the other obvious candidate. He impressed when leading an England A tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa in 1999 and has emerged as a world-class batsman in the past 12 months. However, he is relatively inexperienced in one-day international cricket where he has yet to enjoy the same success as in Test cricket.

The selectors have time to consider the position as England are not due to play another one-day international until 17th June at Old Trafford when the opposition will be another team eliminated from England's group in the World Cup - Pakistan.