From Chris Liston, United Kingdom

We've all got our views on past, current and future England captains. I disagree with Doug Perrins that Vaughan should have stayed as captain until after this test, as a "dead" match is a good opportunity to blood a new captain. The value of a good captain is enormous, as Vaughan showed throughout his reign, regardless of how many runs he's scoring.

I think that Mike Brearley was the best captain that I've seen before Vaughan and he wasn't a prolific run scorer, but an excellent tactician. But KP as captain just because he's about the only player that's guaranteed to be picked for the next test match? When has Kevin ever showed that he's got the responsibility and maturity to be captain? He (and umpire Dar) lost us the Edgbaston game because his ego demanded that he got his ton with a blow out of the ground, whereas a responsible player would have picked off ones and twos and waited for the loose ball. Brian Lara was a flamboyant batsman, but regarded his 100 as a stepping stone to the next one and the one after that. Another 30 minutes at the crease at Edgbaston would have won us the Test.

I'd have liked to have seen Strauss picked as captain, as it could hardly affect his form, but he knows where to place a field and how and when to change his bowlers. What on earth was a deep mid-wicket fielder there for yesterday? Cook may well be the next captain and probably (like Mike Atherton) has F.E.C. on his bag, but we need a man with a good head on his shoulders and that certainly isn't KP.