Nasser Hussain has indicated that he wants to step down as England captain after the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. Speaking in London's Sun newspaper, Hussain, 33, said having taken over the captaincy from Alec Stewart after the 1999 World Cup it would complete a "natural cycle" to hand over the job to someone else after the next tournament. "I don't want to stay in the job too long. The World Cup would be a good time to step down and let someone else take over."

He also acknowledged that after two series defeats, against Australia and India, the decision might not be his. " I might get the axe before then if results go badly. I might not have the option of deciding when to resign the captaincy. But, if I do, I definitely won't be captain after the next World Cup.

"This is a big 15 months coming up, ending with an Ashes tour of Australia and the World Cup. I intend doing everything this year, totally full-on, and then handing over to someone else." In 27 Tests since Hussain took over England have lost only nine times, and in the last 18 months he has led the side to series wins against Zimbabwe, West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He is generally regarded as England's most popular and effective captain since Mike Brearley.

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