Right time to quit the post: Hussain

Published : Aug 16, 2003 00:00 IST

A "tired" Nasser Hussain who stepped down as England Test captain after a four year spell in charge said "it was the right time to quit the post."

"I just feel it's the right time. I felt I was a bit tired and stale. Four years is a long time in this job," Hussain said after the drawn first Test against South Africa at Edgbaston.

"It can become very repetitive," Hussain, 35, added.

"I needed to see how far I could dig and I just wasn't good enough."

"I feel it is coming to a slight change in era. I think Michael Vaughan has shown in the last few months that he is a very capable leader and that's what I have been waiting for. There are some good lads playing under him and the last thing they want is a tired leader."

England's new Test skipper, who led England to one-day triumphs over Pakistan and victory in the triangular series final against South Africa earlier this season, expressed shock at the timing of Hussain's decision.

"Like everyone else in the dressing room, I'm surprised by Nasser's decision to resign. "He has been a hugely inspirational captain and no-one cares more about England than him."

"I had not expected the Test captaincy to come my way this summer but I feel ready for the challenge and I will be more than happy to have him (Hussain) in the dressing room alongside me as a senior player," the 28-year-old added.

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