Nasser Hussain has told the England & Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tim Lamb that comments that he intended to step down as England captain after the 2003 World Cup were misinterpreted. Hussain had been reported as saying that the 2003 tournament would be his captaincy swansong. "I don't want to stay in the job too long," he was quoted as saying in The Sun newspaper at the weekend. "The World Cup would be a good time to step down and let someone else take over."

Hussain now says that all he was trying to do was indicate that he would review his position after the World Cup.

David Graveney, chairman of selectors, spoke to Hussain after the story broke. "He was both surprised and embarrassed about how the story was presented," Graveney told the Press Association. "In my last conversation with him he was very much playing down his retirement.

"Nasser's done a fantastic job for England since he took over as captain. When he was first appointed he may not have been the most popular choice but he has more than justified his selection since."

And he added that Hussain's own form would be one of the key factors in any decision. "He will look at his contribution to the team, and if he is not justifying his place then I'm sure he will move on."

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