Hussain's return to first-class cricket delayed

Nasser Hussain is not in the Essex squad for the CricInfo Championship game against Northamptonshire.

There had been hope that Hussain would return to first-class cricket this weekend, which would have enabled him to gain match practise prior to next week's Third npower Test.

His continued absence increases the doubt that he will be available for England next week.

The England captain's hand was broken during the first innings of the First Test at Edgbaston by a ball from Gillespie.

"At the moment he is not fit - he is not even fit enough to put on a glove," Keith Fletcher, the Essex coach, said.

"He will not play at Northampton and he will not be playing for our second team either. It is going to take time."

Mike Atherton took over the captaincy for Lord's and would be expected to continue in the role if Hussain is unable to play, though he made no secret of his desire for Hussain to resume the responsibility.

With Vaughan and Thorpe already ruled out, and Giles admitting that surgery may be necessary on his troublesome Achilles tendon, England's run of bad luck shows no sign of abating.

Australia only need a draw at Trent Bridge to retain the Ashes.