England legend Ian Botham says new one-day captain Michael Vaughan should also replace Nasser Hussain as Test skipper.

Has Beefy got a point - or is he talking bull?

Vaughan was named on Tuesday as Hussain's successor at the helm of the one-day side, and he admitted he would like the Test job too.

Hussain relinquished his one-day responsibilities after the World Cup in South Africa, where England failed to make it beyond the first round.

Vaughan, a former captain of the England A team, has emerged as England's best player over the last year.

His first game in charge of England's one-day side will be against Pakistan in June.

Should Vaughan be Test captain too?

I think that Vaughan is a class player but the captain needs to be someone older and wiser, with more experience. Like Alec Stewart!
Sean, Perth, Australia

Does it really matter...the results are going to be same anyway.
Jacob Higgins, USA

I agree with Beefy, go for Michael Vaughan m' Lord. He may have been born in Lancs but he has a tough Yorkshire attitude. Give him a go and we might see an Ashes victory in less than four years.
Peter Bycroft, Australia

Nasser Hussain is a boring batsmen but a good captain. An imaginative board of selectors would pick this team for the first test, Trescothick Vaughan,capt Jeffersson, Key, Troughton, Flintoff, Read, Giles, Silverwood, Anderson, Harmison

The only unadventurous pick in that team is Giles but can you think of a better english spinner?
Nick McLellan, Cambridgeshire

The Test team needs to continue to evolve and the time isn't yet right to change the captain Matthew Jones, UK

Beefy is talking bull. Nasser is doing a fantastic job, and it remains to be seen if Vaughan is cut out for the job. Let's see how he performs as the captain of the one day side.
Raj, United States of America

He ought to have been made Test skipper in the first place and not One Day Captain! That's his arena, that's where he has performed. He is totally inexperienced in the limited overs game and any losses would demoralise him and begin to eat into his batting performance.

Captaincy is a tough job for the thick-skinned and hardened lot! England at this juncture cannot afford to lose out on his batting abilities.
S Kaul, Rome

Nasser still holds his place in the middle-order of the test team and should continue as captain of the Test team. He is by far the best captain England have had in many a year. We need an experienced Test captain this summer to guide the team back to winning ways and we really do need to start winning again.

The Test team needs to continue to evolve and the time isn't yet right to change the captain. It's the one day team that needs a complete overhaul and in that respect he did the right thing in stepping down. I applaud the fact he wants to go on and break records - let's hope his team mates have the same drive and desire to succeed as he has.
Matthew Jones, UK

It is crazy how superstars of the past think they are "experts" today and stir controversies amongst the present crop of players by making mindless, thoughtless, bizarre statements, just so they can stay in the limelight.

Whether it is Sunil Gavaskar of India, Imran Khan of Pakistan OR Botham of England - the problem is the same.

It would help the game immensely if these so called "experts" exercised some restraint before making their "expert statement" - which are more their own "individual opinions and wishes" rather than well thought out expert comments.
Navin, USA

Michael Vaughan should not replace Hussain as Test captain. Botham is talking rubbish again and despite what desperate English people say, Vaughan is not the best batsmen in the world. He is not yet in the class of Tendulkar, Gibbs, Gilchrist, Ponting, Ganguly, Lara,etc.

I think that Flintoff should have been given the captaincy. Why not? He's more experienced than Trescothick and Vaughan despite being younger and Adam Hollioake is not in the team. Flintoff was England's most influential player in the World cup. Freddie for England captain!
William Lea, Hackney, London

Vaughan is a fantastic player, a challenge like the Test captaincy could make him a superstar.
Iraj Ali, USA

Nasser is a courageous captain and is fit for the job Michael, Yorkshire

Hussain has helped turn English cricket around, there is no doubt. However, times move on, and it time to look to the future. Michael Vaughan clearly demands his place in the team - he would be in many people's World Xl, so respect from his peers, his own immense ability and his dedication and knowledge of the game makes him, head and shoulders, the man for the job.
Jim Middleton, Redditch, Worcs

I think Vaughan is right person to follow Hussain as Test skipper, but Hussain is in the position right now and he should stay there until the end of the next couple of Test series, he has been doing a good job until now
Elias Zachariae, Denmark

Hussain has at least one more summer of international cricket as captain. If he decides to step down this should be done at the end of this current summer. This would enable the new captain to help select an overseas touring team and lead this team away from the English media spotlight. Without doubt, Hussain is the man to lead England this summer.
Nick Freeston, London

Before we start getting on Nasser's back let's just remember where we were before he took over. NZ rolled us over like we were a pub team. Since then the fight has come back into England & while we may not win every Test match or series (who can apart from Australia), Hussain & Fletcher have got us playing like a team who cares again. Botham, great player but useless captain. Let's get Hussain & Botham in a room to discuss the merits of captaincy & then compare the records. For once Beefy may be lost for words. Nass is the right man for the job, end of story.
Ian Ellis, Sevenoaks

What is Botham thinking? Vaughan Test captain, now? He is not even a proven captain for ODIs. Just because England has lost the last few Tests, it does not mean that Hussain is to blame.

I believe that it should be seen how Vaughn does in ODIs as a captain to prepare him for Tests. Being at the helm of Tests is harder and Hussain has done a decent job. I don't think Vaughan is ready to captain the England Team for Tests, yet. He does not have the experience.
Vivek Malhotra, Chicago, IL, USA

Nasser is a courageous captain and is fit for the job, well done Nasser keep it up. On the other hand Michael Vaughan is under experienced, very selfish person and Gatting and Botham are wrong to say he is the best man for the job...Mr Hussain still has plenty of years in cricket...fight your critics Nasser.
Michael, Yorkshire

All this talk of Hollioake.... admittedly he is a strong captain, but to be effective as a captain you need to inspire your players to produce their best. I cannot see Hollioake doing that as his cricketing ability simply does not warrant a place in the one-day team.

I'm sick to death of Botham complaining! Let's back Hussain as Test captain and Vaughan as one-day captain Chris Hart, Torquay

Vaughan is the only player that is a certainty for the team, he is a must for the one day captaincy. As for the Test job, I don't think he is ready yet but he should maybe be given the vice-captain role as part of his development. After all, the way Trescothick is batting he might not be opening the innings against Zimbabwe this summer.
Matt, Bath

Like D Williams, Milton Keynes, says we should get off Nasser's back and stop going on about the captaincy affecting Vaughan's batting and get on and support them both. Vaughan was the only sensible decision for ODI capt and Nasser's the best Test capt so the ECB have put the whole England setup in the best position.

Botham's one of my sporting heroes but as a pundit he's hopelessly fickle, he'll be supporting the dual captaincy if Eng win the first couple of Tests and ODIs this season.
Christian, Bath

There is no doubt Michael Vaughan is the man for the job as ODI captain and most probably Test captain. He definitely has the characteristics of the old British bulldog as I witnessed over the Aussie summer. A class act and good choice.
Cameron Rudolph, Sydney

I feel the former England all-rounder has got it wrong this time. We must realise that Vaughan is inexperienced to lead his country in the International level. With Hussain leading the Test side, Vaughan will be able to learn the role of captaincy, at the same time implementing it in the one-day game. The selectors can't rely totally on youth and skill. Experience is essential, and even more so in Test matches.
Siddharth Kanjilal, Bombay, India

I'm sick to death of Botham complaining. He's become the Fred Trueman of the media - "it wouldn't have happened in my day". It's ironic given that Botham was hugely irresponsible as a player and a captain.

I recall before the start of play at the first Test against Australia this winter Botham said he'd have put the Aussies in as "there was something in the wicket early on". When it all went wrong he was the first on Hussain's back, saying he'd made a negative decision!!

Do the world's top sides stuff themselves with makeweight all-rounders who would never get in on the strength of their batting or bowling alone? Pete, Sussex

But for people like Botham, Hussain would probably have carried on as one-day captain. Now that he has resigned let's respect that decision and back Hussain as Test captain and Vaughan as one-day captain.
Chris Hart, Torquay

I can't believe the number of people trumpeting the case for Hollioake. Do the world's top sides stuff themselves with makeweight all-rounders who would never get in on the strength of their batting or bowling alone?
Pete, Sussex, UK

Why are the selectors obsessed with making leading run scorers captain? It usually has a disastrous result on the players form!

Apart from being on the pitch for longer than anyone else and being picked for all matches, I can see no reason why run making should be criteria for captaincy. What about tactical ability, experience and leadership?
Fraser, Essex

All the talk about Vaughan and Hollioake is daft. The best English one-day batsmen for the last 5 years has been Chris Adams. He leads from the front as captain and is a hard aggressive cricketer who refuses to accept defeat - just ask Wasim Akram from yesterday.

But then again playing for Sussex is not the best way to get yourself more than one cap!
Marcus, London

Nasser Hussain should remain in charge of the Test team in my opinion despite what Ian Botham says. What is the point of giving Vaughan the Test captaincy if he proves not to be able to handle the one-day role?

Hollioake is head and shoulders above anyone else in this country as a captain James, Cambridge

Let Vaughan get some experience in the one-day game, leave Nasser alone and when the time comes in a year or two maybe then give the Test captaincy to Michael. Get off Nasser's back, and get behind the team.
D Williams, Milton Keynes, England

I don't think Nasser should step down just yet. Who would replace him? Michael Vaughan has not yet proved himself at international level as a captain and throwing him in at the deep end is too much pressure. Don't forget we did really well against Sri Lanka and India last summer with Nasser at the helm.
Leah Jacobs, London

I for once disagree with Ian Botham. Usually I agree whole-heartedly with him and feel he is the only one who knows what he is talking about. If Hussain was to go then the heart has been taken out of the Test side.

He is the only one who shows real fight and desire for his country and I don't see anyone ready to take over that responsibility. Hussain has done a lot for England, let him finish the season on a high with wins against Zimbabwe and South Africa and then Vaughan can take over, or whoever it will be.
Jonathan Lee, Loughborough, UK

I am very, very glad that Vaughan was appointed England captain. Hollioake is head and shoulders above anyone else in this country as a captain. Most people do not realise his importance to Surrey as a master tactician and motivator of men. He was by far and away the best option for the England selectors. So, as a Surrey fan, I can only cheer the elevation of Vaughan to the national captaincy. This way, Surrey's domestic domination of the game is not endangered.
James, Cambridge

Botham's got a nerve! Henry Gaskin, London

I believe Vaughan is the perfect man for the job. He is currently has the highest world batting average, and considering our recent batting collapses (especially in the lower order), he could lead by example. He can bowl (and often does), so he is aware of both elements. I agree, he may be raw with tactics, but he has the makings of a great captain. He rightly deserves his chance.
Gareth Hughes, London

Botham was a great player but his judgement has never been good. Hussain is an excellent Test captain and if he wants to stay - good. Losing to Australia was not down to bad captaincy, it was because ten of their team are better than ours. Against the other teams we have played well. If all goes well, Vaughan will take over in due course.
Charles Kingston, London

Botham's got a nerve! His own form suffered terribly when he was appointed captain. One-day captaincy is one thing, but Test matches are a much bigger drain on one's mental resources. Leave Vaughan to do what he does best for another season at least.
Mic, UK

This is typical Botham, trying to be sensationalist in order to get himself a bit of cheap publicity. Nasser has done a great job as England captain and I'm sure will lead us to success this summer. Why risk destabilizing the team with an untried captain at the highest level, when you've got a proven and clearly very driven man at the helm already - in order to keep Botham in a job writing this sort of excuse for journalism?
Henry Gaskin, London

For Michael Vaughan's sake let this not be another lamb to the slaughter Alex Limburg, Australia

England should look to the future. Hussain should be discarded as he isn't good enough to get into the team. New players need blooding and the Hussain/Fletcher clique needs splitting. Don't get me wrong Fletcher is excellent but he shouldn't have autonomy.

Vaughan is 28 years old now and should have been given his chance in the Test team far sooner. England should be fearful of that happening again and identify young talent now and give them a fair crack of the whip.
Mike McGeown, Milton Keynes

Vaughan needs another couple of years' experience before taking on this role. Besides, what would a Sheffield Wednesday supporter know about winning?
Ken Worthington, UK

For Michael Vaughan's sake let this not be another lamb to the slaughter. In 1993 when Atherton became captain Stewart felt left out as the older statesman. If things don't go so well people will say Holllioake or Trescothick should not have been passed over.

The pressure on him will be made worse particularly if his batting doesn't shine like Ricky Ponting's has and alls the more pity for Vaughan.

Also send Rod Marsh back home!!
Alex Limburg, Australia

He's a Yorkshire man and therefore he's made of some pretty good stuff both mentally and physically David, England - Yorkshire

Vaughan is clearly England's premier batsmen and one of the top five in the world. He has the credentials to lead England. Give him a go see if he sinks or swims! My bet is he will do a good job.
Greg, Australia

Vaughan still has a long way to go in improving his fielding skills and his one-day batting skills. Such an unnecessary pressure could well prove his downfall and England might lose a budding talent cut before it blossoms. So, go for it. Make him captain. The world is with you.
Rama, India

I think he should be captain, all this talk about how previous batsman have wilted under the pressure of being captain is rubbish. He's a Yorkshire man and therefore he's made of some pretty good stuff both mentally and physically.

I happen to think that with his determination and ambition, giving him the captaincy could well have the opposite effect to what everyone worries about and really kick him into gear.

We need a young captain with a young talented team that can be brought on ready for the next world cup. If it worked for Australia then it could work for us. Come on Vaughany - Eye of the tiger!
David, England - Yorkshire

Why has everyone got it in for Hussain, all of a sudden? Did Steve Waugh get all this criticism for deciding to carry on in Tests? I don't think so, in fact I recall Langer being delighted by his decision.

Is it that Nasser has not been as popular in the dressing room as everyone thinks? A Yorkshire player captaining England and Aussie legend Rodney Marsh picking the team! What is the world coming to?
Paul, Yorkshire

At last -the first step towards England being back where they belong at the top of world cricket! Andy R, England

Vaughan can handle it, he's a class player and that will see him through. The main thing is that now the decision's been made, the ECB must stick with him until the next World Cup.

You don't see Australia sacking Ponting after a couple of bad games.
Julian, Perth, Australia

If the captain should always be a certain pick in the team, he was probably the only man for the job.
Matt, UK

Hooray! At last -the first step towards England being back where they belong at the top of world cricket! Do like the Aussies, pick your best XI then make one of them captain.

Vaughan is our one world class player - so give him the stripes. As for wringing our hands about Vaughan's form dipping - get a life! He'll thrive on it and lead from the front.
Andy R, England

The issue for England is not whether Vaughan is right for the captaincy. The issue is the ability for the English one-day and Test teams to develop the passion, pride and devotion to cricket like the Australians.

I cannot help likening his selection to that of Pollock's here in South Africa Riaan, South Africa

Their last series in Australia was proof enough that they don't have the same pride as the Australians. Australians are willing to die for their Baggy Green. What about the English? "Oh bad luck old chaps!"

Develop that pride, those guts and you have the players to even beat Australia. It won't be any good to make excuses because, quite frankly, you don't have the right to. It's about time England developed a good system to produce good players. Give Vaughan time and back him up. I sincerely hope you get somewhere.
Sumit Mukherjee, Australia

Bad decision, I'm now supporting Australia!
James, Nottingham

I think that Vaughan's lack of experience as a captain at first class level and national level for such a long time will hamper his decisions in the field. The same could be said about someone like Adam Hollioake, but at least he has captained the England one-day side before, with moderate success.
Robin, Tadworth

I think Michael Vaughan is the right man for England and I think with some youngsters coming through, England have got a good chance of competing for the World Cup in 2007.
Naveed, Bradford

I cannot help likening his selection to that of Pollock's here in South Africa. He's a great cricketer, a nice guy, but at first glance not a natural leader. I may be wrong, but he could head the same way Pollock has.
Riaan, South Africa

There's absolutely no doubt that Michael Vaughan is the right choice. But let's just hope that this does not affect his batting capability.
Pratik, Liverpool, United Kingdom

The only man for the job. He has the right attitude and is our only world class player.
Paul, London

How many times has Michael Vaughan played one-day cricket in any competition? Andrew Quigley, Runcorn, Cheshire

Typical of the ECB. The correct choice has to be Hollioake. Vaughan is an excellent player but his leadership has not been tested. Hollioake, on the other hand, has flourished as captain of his county side. His batting and bowling have improved markedly and his team is winning.
Ben, London

Stop concentrating on Vaughan's test record. His one-day record is nothing short of poor and he has never played a convincing ODI innings. He should be struggling to even make the side.
Adrian, London

To be honest, how many times has Michael Vaughan played one-day cricket in any competition? He hardly plays it for Yorkshire and his World Cup was not so great so this seems daft. Perhaps he will grow into the role. Also you have to note the absence of any genuine figures for the job.
Andrew Quigley, Runcorn, Cheshire

A big mistake. The coming days will prove it.
John, London

Michael Vaughan is an inspiration to the rest of the England cricket team, with his immense batting talent and positive attitude towards the game. He is quickly becoming one of England's highest profile players, and one of the best in the world.

History tells us that the best player of the team will not necessarily be a good captain Prashanth, India

It worked for England football team when David Beckham was made captain, and I think it will work in the same way for England cricket team, as they are both of similar stature in their sports.
Richard Gosling, Leeds

I would have gone for Hollioake as he is an excellent leader and he should have gone to the World Cup. Vaughan is an excellent batsman in Test matches but I feel he needs to score ODI runs before being considered.
James Wheeler, Harrow

Let Vaughan concentrate on what he does best - batting. Hollioake has been there, done it and got the T-shirt.
Mike Radlett, Heathfield East Sussex

No doubt Vaughan is the best player England has at present, but to expect England to become world beaters is too much. History tells us that the best player of the team will not necessarily be a good captain.

Examples Sachin, Lara, Akram etc. England must not have the same expectations about Vaughan's captaincy like they do with his batting. All the best for him.
Prashanth, India

Good choice George Goater, Ascot, England

Let's just hope that Vaughan can bring some sort of success to English cricket and retain his batting form at the same time. Thanks to Lancashire by the way for missing this talent!
'Yorkshire Pud', Hull

Although the ODI captaincy has got the potential to affect his batting form, his current ODI record is poor. This may give him added incentive for ODI cricket and give him a more well rounded game. He definitely gets my vote!
Christian, Bath

Vaughan is a talented young player that will bring a breath of fresh air to the ODI team. He has proved before with the England A team a few years ago that he's got the mentality of a captain and his batting speaks for itself. He's easily the best choice.
Neil, Birmingham

Let's hope Michael Vaughan doesn't follow the format of losing his form as the pressures of the captaincy get to him.
Dipak Shah, London

Good choice - but as for him being made of "pretty good stuff", Yorkie puds should remember that he was born in Lancashire.
George Goater, Ascot, England

I'm not sure Vaughan will be a great captain but he's probably the best choice Mike Linwood, London via Hull

There is no doubt he is one of the best batsmen in Test cricket, yet he has not shown his full potential in ODI's yet. Such an added responsibly may not allow him to reach his potential in the limited overs game. However conversely it may give him the edge/ confidence to really run into form in this form of the game.
Tory King, England, UK

There is no doubt about Michael Vaughan's batting capability but I would not bank on him as the captain of the English team. Giving him the added responsibility of captaincy might affect his batting.
Shehzad Valliani, Karachi

I'm not sure Vaughan will be a great captain but he's probably the best choice. Hollioake is a good captain but not a good enough player.

We need to get behind him and build for the next World Cup by blooding some youngsters this season and sticking by them as well. Let the squad grow together under Vaughan. With some support from the likes of Flintoff and Anderson the future could be bright.
Mike Linwood, London via Hull

Vaughan is a shoe-in for the captaincy, and will be Test captain by the winter too.

If Trescothick hadn't lost form so badly, he would have been considered, and but for his off the field problems, Thorpe would have also been a candidate.

Vaughan has the right mentality for the job, and can only improve on his one-day average as a batsman.
Peter, London

Trescothick wasn't considered is because he has shown himself to be tactically naive Peter, UK

Good choice! Why all this concern over his one-day form, who was the last England captain to be a world beater at the one-day game?

We need to start again with the one-day side and what better way to do it than with the world's best batsman as captain? Get the youngsters in now and make us the best team in world for 2007 (see ECB Mission Statement).
Neil, Chesterfield

While I am certain that Vaughan will mature into a forceful one-day batsman, it is his total lack of competence in the field that will neither inspire nor frighten his team-mates or opponents.
Nick Robinson, London

Trescothick wasn't considered is because he has shown himself to be tactically naive on the occasions he has been called upon.
Peter, UK