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News of Nasser Hussain's resignation as England's Test captain is greeted with genuine surprise by Tuesday's papers.

Hussain stepped down after England limped to a draw in the first test against South Africa on Monday.

He said he was tired and stale after four years and 45 Tests in charge.

THE HEADLINES Daily Telegraph: Careworn Hussain quits The Times: Hussain's abrupt departure brings in Vaughan The Sun: 'I Quit' - Nassar hands over to Vaughan Daily Mirror: Retired hurt The Guardian: Hussain walks out on captaincy Daily Express: Tired out Daily Star: Juan final bid Daily Mail: I can't go on The Independent: England reel as Hussain quits captaincy

The Independent sums up the sense of shock by describing the decision as "wholly unexpected".

And the cricket correspondents are generous in their praise for Hussain.

In The Times, Christopher Martin-Jenkins writes: "[Hussain] leaves a side with much better prospects than the one he inherited from Alec Stewart after the World Cup in 1999.

"He brought a tremendous sense of responsibility to his role as captain of his country and carried it out with an intensity and dedication matched by no-one.

"He has stopped the rot and the character that he has brought to a job that has exercised him severely on and off the field for the better part of five years won him an OBE last year."

Even Ian Botham, normally a harsh critic of the England team, laments Hussain's departure in The Mirror.

"He has instilled a passion and fire into the belly of English cricket and groomed a team which I believe are the second best in the world," he writes.

With Hussain's resignation dominating all the other back pages, the Daily Star, bless 'em, lead with a bit of football gossip.

They claim Manchester United misift Juan Sebastian Veron is about to enter negotiations with Chelsea after the west London club upped their bid for the Argentine to �16m.