The former England captain confirmed the move at a press conference at Edgbaston this morning.

Hear sports editor Matt Reeder pay tribute to Vaughan in this week's SportsTalk >>

"It's been a hard decision," admitted the Yorkshire batsman. "The decision came two weeks ago at Worcester when I realised there were younger players around the Yorkshire team, and certainly England, who need to be given a chance to move the game forward.

"I wanted to give it one last effort to get into the Ashes squad. I've given it that shot but haven't been playing well enough."

Vaughan described the 2005 Ashes victory over Australia as the "pinnacle" of his career, and he was wary of the detrimental impact he might have on the forthcoming showdown.

"It was always a long shot to get me back in (to the England team)," he said.

"The last thing players like Ravi Bopara needed was for me to get a 100 (for Yorkshire) and for the media to build up my chances.

"They need the chance to go out and express themselves."

Click here to read Michael Vaughan's factfile >>

Vaughan added: "Wherever I've played this year I felt that warmth and crowd reaction to try to give me one more chance.

"I now move on and wish the team all the best in an Ashes series they can win."

Asked if he might have been selected for the Ashes squad on past achievements, Vaughan replied: "I have not played well enough.

"I have not got the rhythm or form to be picked in the Ashes squad.

"It has to be best 16 players and I am not one of those."

England might have thrown Vaughan a Test lifeline by playing him in the England Lions match against the Australians in Worcester, but he reasoned: "To put me in Lions team would have been purely on what I have done in the past and you have to move forwards."

Vaughan will now consider what his future holds after quitting cricket.
"I think it is important to have a little break and weigh up my options and decide what to do next.

"I will support England this summer. I will be at some of the games."

England captain Andrew Strauss said: "I count Michael as a good friend as well as a team-mate and I know what a tough decision this will have been for him as he took so much pleasure and pride in representing his country.

"I learned a great deal from watching him captain the side for five years at close hand and his ability to identify a new strategy for outwitting the opposition, or bring the best out of his own players was a priceless asset.

"But more than anything we as players will miss the enormous sense of fun and enjoyment that Michael brought to the dressing room.

"He will be missed by everyone connected with the team and we wish him every success in his future career."

"He is the best captain I've played under," added Strauss. "That goes for any form of cricket.

"His achievements can't be underestimated, the way he took the team forward, the relaxed way he was able to get us playing cricket.

"A lot of the stuff was behind the scenes - the way he dealt with players on a one-to-one basis was exceptional. And he cared.

"It's important to remember what a great player he was. It's a sad day."
Strauss said he took some of the lessons Vaughan had taught him into his own style of captaincy.

He said: "He's his own man and it's important I don't try and copy what he did, but there are certain things he brought in which I think are fundamental to doing well - backing your players so they're comfortable enough to do their own thing."

He denied there had been any influence from the England set-up over the timing of Vaughan's announcement, adding: "It's great he's going out when people have such high regard for him as a captain and as a bloke.

"He felt it was the right time and that's the most important thing. We wouldn't want to influence him one way or the other."

Yorkshire CCC chief executive Stewart Regan said: "Michael Vaughan is a class act and will be remembered by Yorkshire members and supporters around the world for his beautiful stroke play and of course his success in leading England to Ashes glory in 2005."