London, Mar 30: All-rounder Adam Hollioake today said he was "better equipped" to captain England's one-day team, which according to him is the ultimate job for every English cricketer. "It's a tough job, but I would relish the captaincy," he told the Skysports website today. "I don't know anyone who would turn down the chance to captain England. It's the ultimate job and I would jump at it." Though young batsman Michael Vaughan is the favourite to step in to the shoes of Nasser Hussain, who left the post after England's first round exit from the World Cup in South Africa, Hollioake said his ambition was to captain the side in the game's show-piece event in West Indies in 2007. The Surrey skipper, who led England in 14 ODIs between 1997 and 1999, lost his brother Ben in a car crash in Sydney last year. But Hollioake said the death of his brother made him more mature as a cricketer. "Ben's passing has made me a better person and a better player," he added. "When Ben went, I suddenly realised that getting a duck was not that important in the grand scale of life.

"I have a fearless attitude where the opposition finds it difficult to read my intentions. If the ball is there to be hit, I flog it. It's not suicidal: It's a calculating approach and hugely rewarding, allowing me to play with more freedom.

"I am more compassionate, less selfish and I value player's opinions more than perhaps I did. Above all, I want a chance to have some influence on a bright new era for English cricket," the 31-year old said.

Bureau Report