Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson has predicted that Marcus Trescothick will one day become England captain.

He was speaking after it had been announced that Michael Atherton would lead England in the Second Ashes Test in place of the injured Nasser Hussain. Trescothick had been his only rival for the role in a two-horse race.

Anderson said: "Obviously Marcus has played his cards close to his chest,and he has not said whether or not he is disappointed or relieved."

He went on: "Some time in the future it will come to him. Professional cricket needs a captain of his perspicacity – he never whinges about playing too much or about being too tired.

"With a figurehead like him no longer will first-class cricket be held up for ridicule, and I look forward to the day that he is the captain of England."

Anderson went on to speak about the size of the crowd for the C&G Trophy victory against Glamorgan on Wednesday.

He said: "We were pretty disappointed with the crowd yesterday. There has been a lot of criticism from the supporters that our England stars have not been available to play.

"On Wednesday, when Caddick and Trescothick did play and we had a good result, they didn't turn up."

© CricInfo Ltd.