Hussain rejects four-day Tests

England captain Nasser Hussain last night hit out at plans to reduce Test matches to four days.

Mal Speed, incoming chief executive of the International Cricket Council, sparked controversy when he called for four-day Tests, claiming: 'It's rare that a Test goes the full five days and often when they go four or five days, they fizzle out anyway.'

Speed, currently head of the Australian Cricket Board, said the idea was gaining momentum and would be put to the ICC. But Hussain, who saw England surge to a series-clinching victory in Pakistan in the dying light of the fifth day in Karachi last year, said: 'I don't think it's the best idea I've heard.

'The Test cricket we've been playing for the last few years has been a fine shop-window for the game.'

Meanwhile both Pakistan and Australia are in turmoil as they prepare for their tours of England.

Pakistan, who arrive in just four weeks, have returned from a record defeat against New Zealand by an innings and 185 runs deeply unhappy with coach Javed Miandad.

Team manager Faqir Aizazuddin's leaked tour report suggests a serious rift between senior players and their coach - and reveals that Miandad nearly resigned and f l ew home halfway through the tour.

Faqir also attacked captain Moin Khan for his 'lack of initiative' and was critical of several other players.

Insiders believe several senior players will refuse to tour England if Miandad remains in charge.

Australia are also in disarray. Beaten by 118 runs in the third one-day international in India on Saturday, the players continue to refuse to play in a three-match one-day series against the Indians scheduled for Melbourne in mid-September.