England star Nasser Hussain is to be the new captain of Essex following Paul Prichard's decision to stand down from the role.
This year Essex finished rock bottom of the Britannic Assurance county championship for only the second time in their history but the gloom was momentarily lifted when the County won the Benson and Hedges Cup earlier in the summer.
Prichard, who suceeded the legendary Graham Gooch in 1995, was the longest-serving of all the 18 county captains and he led Essex to NatWest Trophy glory in 1997 in addition to this year's Benson and Hedges Cup triumph.
The appointment of Hussain is seen as a natural step for the popular batsman and his leadership progress is certain to be followed by the England selectors who are looking for a ready-made successor to Alec Stewart.
Hussain said: "I won't be able to change things overnight, but we've got to move on -- become a lot fitter, more professional and have more self-discipline.
"There's not been a lot wrong with our one-day form. In the Benson and Hedges Cup this year we all pulled for each other and our self-belief grew and grew. By the time we reached the final we were unbeatable.
"We've got to reproduce that kind of form and spirit in the longer form of the game. Towards the end of last season our confidence was low, but sometimes you learn more from a bad year than a good year and, having finished bottom, there is only one direction we can go in. I'm relishing the challenges ahead."
Hussain, already England vice-captain, will spend the winter in Australia as the national team bids to bring home the Ashes.
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