Hussain, 31, the captain of Essex, will take charge for the first Cornhill Test against New Zealand at Edgbaston starting on July 1.

The length of his appointment will not be fixed, but instead will last until either the selectors or Nasser decide that a change is required.

Announcing the appointment, Chairman of Selectors David Graveney said: ``We have had some good results in the past year, most notably our series win against South Africa, and our victory in the Melbourne Test against Australia was memorable.

``However, we failed to regain The Ashes, we lost heavily in the finals of the Carlton and United Series in Australia, and our failure to reach the second stage of the World Cup was a huge disappointment.

``Throughout this time, Alec Stewart has shouldered his responsibilities as captain, top-order batsman and wicketkeeper manfully and we would like to thank him for his efforts in charge. However, there is no doubt his form has suffered.

``Alec has been a key player for England and we hope he can continue to be so for some time to come, but in view of his recent form and the recent results of the team the selectors feel the time has come for a change.

``That decision has not been rushed because we were keen to make sure we were not simply making a change as a knee-jerk reaction to our World Cup performance.

``As it is, by taking our time we are satisfied we have made the right decision, and that decision is to turn to Nasser. We feel he is the right candidate and the right man to lead us into the future.

``He has plenty of experience of cricket at all levels, has served a long apprenticeship as a vice-captain to both Michael Atherton and Stewart and in our conversations with him he has shown a huge passion for what is a massive job''

Nasser Hussain said: ``This is a huge honour, the biggest one in the game, and I'm delighted and immensely proud to accept the selectors' invitation to lead the England side.

``It's now time for us to look forward rather than reflect on what has gone before and to focus all our efforts on achieving a consistently winning side.

``We certainly have the players to beat the best sides in the world, but we have to do it on a more consistent basis.

``Now is the time for us all to try and end that inconsistency and to start winning regularly, and that needs to begin against New Zealand this summer.''

Hussain added: ``I would also like to pay my own tribute to Alec. He has handled an incredibly difficult job with real dignity and integrity and it was an honour to play under him.''

Hussain has been England vice-captain on tours of Zimbabwe and New Zealand (1996/7), West Indies (1997/8) and Australia (1998/9). He has already captained England in a one-day international, leading the side to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in Auckland in February 1997.

Nasser and Chairman of Selectors David Graveney will speak to the media at a press conference at the ECB's offices at Lord's at 12 noon on Friday 25 June.

Nasser will then join the selection panel to help choose England's squad for the first Cornhill Test, which will be announced at 11 am on Sunday 27 June.