Hussain retirement after 2003 by no means certain, he claims

After rumours and speculation, it has finally been confirmed that Nasser Hussain will not necessarily stand down from the England captaincy at the end of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. If he can justify his place as a player, there is every reason to suggest he will continue with the captaincy.

It was reported in a national newspaper that he had expressed the view that the tournament would mark the end of a four-year cycle and it would therefore be a good time to stand down. That elicited a response from ECB chief executive Tim Lamb in which he hoped that Hussain would at least listen to pleas to continue.

Now Hussain has said that his original comments were misinterpreted. All he was trying to say was that he would review the situation once the World Cup campaign had ended. Chairman of selectors, David Graveney has put the record straight.

"Like a lot of people of his age, they will look at their careers after the World Cup because it is likely to be the last one he plays in. He was both surprised and embarrassed about how the story was presented and 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, and long may it continue. When he was first appointed he may not have been the most popular choice but he has more than justified his selection since.

"Anyone who knows him will tell you that Nasser is not the type of person to drag it out," added Graveney. "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."