Support grows for Trescothick to lead England

Former England coach David Lloyd is urging the selectors to look to the future and appoint opening batsman Marcus Trescothick as England captain for the Second Ashes Test next week.

He reckons the 25-year-old Somerset player should step into the breach in place of Nasser Hussain who has broken his finger and will miss the match at Lord's.

Though Trescothick burst on to the England scene only last year, Lloyd said: "He has a load of stature and is well respected by the team."

Chairman of selectors David Graveney has said that it looks like a straight choice between Trescothick and Michael Atherton. There are indications that a decision will not be announced until Friday.

Alec Stewart and Mark Butcher both revealed on CricInfo that they were not interested in the job while Graham Thorpe, another possible candidate, is still doubtful for the match because of his calf problem. However, the ebullient Darren Gough has said he would be happy to lead the team as a one-off.

Speaking about Trescothick, Lloyd said: "As it is only interim and he would only be holding the reins until Hussain returns, there would be no long-term pressure. Then if they needed someone to step in again in the future, there is your man."

But if the selectors decide against Trescothick, Lloyd said he would back Gough. "I wouldn't be against Gough because I would love to see a bowler have a go. We haven't had one since Bob Willis," he said.

While Trescothick, who skippered his country at youth level, believes he is capable of captaining his country, he says won't waste any time considering it, unless asked.

"I am pretty sure I could handle the pressure but until such time as someone wants to talk about the situation with me, I'll just concentrate on my batting," he said.

"Captaining England in an Ashes Test at Lord's is probably the biggest thing you can do in the game. It's certainly a bit different for skippering a junior side," he told the BBC.

Yorkshire fast bowler Gough said: "It is not something I would want to do full-time, but for a one-off game while Hussain comes back, it would be a pleasure.

"The way I look at it is that if you give it to a young lad in a one-off Test against Australia, there would be so much pressure on him. But I don't think it would affect my thinking or anything.

"I would just get on with it and think it an honour. But after that one game I would probably think it was only for one game. There are plenty of candidates and whoever it is I'm sure they will do a good job."