They hit it off almost immediately, however, and Fletcher has the highest regard for his now ex-captain. "Nasser has been very passionate about captaining England. I don't think people appreciate how passionate he is. That is the one disappointment for me - that people are prepared to criticise and not realise he just wants England to do well and will do anything for the England team."
After four years as captain, Hussain told chairman of selectors David Graveney yesterday-morning that he would step aside immediately after the end of the first Test against South Africa, which was abandoned as a draw last evening.
The players, including Hussain's-successor, Michael Vaughan, were stunned as they left Edgbaston.
England's biggest regret, apart from losing a respected captain, is that Hussain has returned to the ranks between back-to-back Tests, leaving Vaughan little more than 48 hours to prepare himself for Thursday's next meeting with South Africa at Lord's.
"It's probably not the ideal time, two days before a Test, but we do have the same team and the plans to beat the opposition will be no different," said Graveney after naming an unchanged, though newlyled XI, for Lord's.
The chairman did not try to alter Hussain's mind, pointing out: "These decisions are not taken lightly."
Fortunately, Fletcher and Vaughan seem to have formed an equally promising partnership during the recent one-day internationals when the 28-year-old batsman made his bow as leader.
Fletcher praised Vaughan's handling of the team during a six-week period that saw England win two limited-over competitions at the expense of Pakistan, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
"That's where I think Nasser felt quite relaxed because there was another captain waiting in the wings who had done well in the one-dayers," said the coach.
But Fletcher added a note of caution by stating: "Like Nasser keeps saying, and I'll keep saying, people don't seem to appreciate the difference between one-day and Test cricket." Vaughan, meanwhile, described Hussain as "a hugely inspirational captain".
He added: "I had not expected the Test captaincy to come my way this summer but I feel ready for the challenge and I will be more than happy to have Nasser alongside me in the dressing room as a senior player."
Although England are likely to be unchanged under Vaughan at Lord's, Kent batsman Robert Key and Sussex fast bowler James Kirtley have been put on standby. Surrey's Graham Thorpe was not considered as a possible replacement for fractured- finger victim Marcus Trescothick after suffering a back spasm.
