Hussain could quit sooner rather than later

After the abdication comes the speculation. On Monday, Nasser Hussain pulled off one of the biggest surprises in sport by announcing his resignation from the Test captaincy. And now, according to his brother Mel, he could be on the verge of retirement from all forms of cricket.

"I would say with some degree of certainty that Nasser will not tour this winter," said Mel Hussain. "He wants his life back, to have Christmas at home, to go to a restaurant without having to field phone calls."

Nasser's second son, Joel, was born during the Ashes tour last November, and his growing family commitments have gnawed away at his enthusiasm for cricket. "The thought of going to Bangladesh for another series as a regular England player might not be as exciting as spending some time with his wife and kids," added Mel. "He has given everything in the last 15 years and there's not a lot left. England are a stronger, more confident, better prepared side than when he took them on and the only thing they've not done is beat Australia."

Mel, a former county 2nd XI player, hinted that the end could come sooner rather than later. "There is no suggestion he has set himself a time limit; it is purely a mental thing," he said. "If he walked after this Test match I wouldn't be surprised - if he got two low scores."

Should he choose to quit, he seems destined to follow one of his predecessors, Michael Atherton, into a career in the media, having his debut behind the microphone during last month's Twenty20 Cup. "He will have some regrets," said Mel, "but he has to look forward."