Three to follow Hussain

Butcher (right) is one of Hussain's senior players

By Martin Gough BBC Sport Online

Nasser Hussain has often intimated that this will be his last year as England captain, saying he will only be able to take the pressure of the top job for so long.

Former skipper Michael Atherton has named Mark Butcher as his choice to take over the reigns when Hussain has had enough.

But there are two younger candidates also in the running for the big job, as long as they are judged to have sufficient experience.

Here, BBC Sport Online looks at the credentials of the three main candidates to become the next England captain.

Who should succeed Hussain? Have your say

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Marcus Trescothick

When Jamie Cox handed the Tasmanian captaincy to Ricky Ponting last season, the 27-year-old ended the year as Australia's one-day skipper.

Trescothick led England in a one-day match in Zimbabwe

Cox carried the idea to Somerset this season, looking to give Trescothick, at 26 already England vice-captain, more experience to boost his credentials.

But with the burly left-hander on England duty for much of the time, and then breaking his thumb during a rare appearance as county skipper, the effect has not been immediate.

Match report: Trescothick ton in England win

Until now, Trescothick's only lengthy spell as captain came on the England under-19 tour to the West Indies in 1994/95.

He deputised ably for an injured Hussain in a single match last October, scoring a century in a victory over Zimbabwe.

But he was not judged to have the necessary skills to fill in during the Ashes series prior to that, with Atherton preferred instead.

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Michael Vaughan

Skipper of England age-group sides through much of his career, Vaughan, like Atherton before him, has long been known to county team-mates as FEC (Future England Captain).

Vaughan's recent form has strengthened his claims

With his Lancastrian roots and ability at the top of the order, Vaughan was billed as a future Atherton in all senses when he arrived on the Test scene.

Until recently, injury and lack of form have kept him from establishing his Test place sufficiently for the selectors to make him an automatic choice.

But his three centuries so far this summer have convinced some seasoned commentators that the 27-year-old has leap-frogged Trescothick in the captaincy race.

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Mark Butcher

The left-hander suffered the ignominy of being dropped immediately after his only Test as England skipper, an unsatisfactory draw with New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1999.

Atherton backs Butcher

Poor form saw him dropped again, apparently for good, after the tour to South Africa in 1999/2000, and he only got his spot back for the Ashes because of an injury crisis.

But his 173 against Australia at Headingley as well as a more mature outlook assured him a more secure slot in the side.

Butcher has deputised well for Adam Hollioake at Surrey in the past and is one of the senior players to whom Hussain regularly turns.

Having turned 30 earlier this month, Butcher is just four years younger than Hussain.

But, just as Alec Stewart took the helm before Hussain's arrival, Butcher could be seen as a short-term replacement while one of the younger candidates is brought up to speed.