Stewart backs Read as England successor

Alec Stewart has shed more light on his decision to retire from Test cricket at the end of the summer, explaining that the prospect of another tough winter tour was the main reason.

England travel to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the autumn, and then play four Tests and seven one-day internationals in the Caribbean next spring. And the prospect of more time away played a big part in his thoughts.

Talking on Channel 4, he said: "With a long winter coming up I felt it would be one tour too many, and therefore I will call it a day at The Oval or if not beforehand. I hope I have chosen the right time to go. I am sure I will miss it - but at the same time I will look back and say I have enjoyed my career."

While there are a few candidates to replace him, the favourite, Chris Read, received a boost with the backing of the man himself. "Purely as a wicketkeeper I think Chris Read is very much the favourite. He did a very good job in the one-dayers," said Stewart. "Even so I am sure the others will be competing and pushing for a chance too."

But Stewart has no plans to retire from county cricket as well. "I have always said I would love to have one year just as a Surrey player," he said. "Surrey is very close to my heart, and as I sit here I would like to play one more year."