Lord's will rise for new and old skippers

England drew a match and lost a captain in Birmingham, but Michael Vaughan and Nasser Hussain can expect to be greeted like conquering heroes at Lord's tomorrow.

The first three days of the Second Test were sold out before South Africa started the series by scoring 594 for five declared at Edgbaston and well in advance of Hussain's decision to quit in favour of Vaughan.

But now the Lord's match promises to be even more significant with chairman of selectors David Graveney expecting a full house of 30,000 spectators to rise to England's captains past and present.

"Lord's always does respond to Nasser. In fact, I'm sure both he and Michael will be greeted like conquering heroes with every supporter wishing them all the best," said Graveney.

South Africa left Edgbaston believing they had gained a real psychological advantage, not only through putting themselves in a position to win the match but also as a result of England's change at the top.

"England will be a bit unsettled before the next Test," said Graeme Smith, the skipper who was supposed to be under pressure before the series began because of rumours of dissension in the tourists' camp.