ECB chief executive Tim Lamb has responded to Nasser Hussain's suggestion that he might be ready to stand down from the England captaincy after the 2003 World Cup by saying that he hopes Hussain will reconsider.

Lamb wants Hussain to keep his options open. "It would be a shame if he did retire after the World Cup" he said. "He's made a terrific impact since he took over, and I think we just need to sit down and discuss the situation with him.

"I think Nasser and (coach) Duncan Fletcher have started to forge a really good working relationship and I very much hope that relationship will continue. So I very much hope he'll continue for a while yet."

Hussain had earlier indicated that he felt the end of the South African World Cup campaign would be the right time to stand down. "I took over from Alec Stewart after the last World Cup, and it would complete a natural cycle."

By then Hussain will be 35 – a year younger than Steve Waugh is now. However, it is by no means certain that Hussain will stand down then. He has merely indicated that 2003 will be a year for re-assessment of the situation.

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