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Last Updated:  Thursday, 6 March, 2003, 10:22 GMT
Lehmann backs Hollioake claim
By Oliver Brett
BBC Sport in South Africa

Australian batsman Darren Lehmann says England should choose Adam Hollioake to replace Nasser Hussain as their one-day captain.

Adam Hollioake
Hollioake captained England in 1996 and 1997
Hussain's decision to relinquish the captaincy shortly after England crashed out of the World Cup has paved the way for the Surrey skipper to take over, argues Lehmann.

He told the BBC Sport website: "I think they should go for Hollioake because I believe he is the best captain by far in English county cricket.

"The selectors may think the time is right to go for one of the youngsters in the side, say Michael Vaughan, but if they were looking for somebody who has a bit of experience then they must consider Hollioake."

Lehmann played in Hussain's final match in charge of England's one-day team, when they threw away a golden opportunity to record a rare win against the Aussies.

The Australian middle-order batsman hit 37 in a crucial 63-run partnership with Michael Bevan when England were on top.

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Hollioake, 31, was born in Australia but first played in England's one-day side in the summer of 1996 and proved an instant success.

Later in 1997 he captained the England one-day side to a one-day tournament victory in Sharjah.

Hollioake lost the captaincy early in 1998 when the selectors decided against having separate captains for one-dayers and Tests.

Lehmann, who has extensive experience of the county game after playing for Yorkshire, added: "Hollioake plays very much in the Australian way of attacking cricket.

"He did a good job when he captained England a few years back and I know he would do a good job again.

"It all depends whether the England selectors go down that line or look to someone inside the team."

Hollioake's chances were given a lift when England coach Duncan Fletcher said the new captain would not necessarily come from the existing side.

The two other main candidates for the England captaincy are Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick.

Vaughan admitted he would like to take the job on Thursday.




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England's Michael Vaughan
"If I was offered the job I would take it"




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