The former England captain, 34, closed the curtain on a glittering career that stretches back almost 17 years in front of a packed press conference at Edgbaston yesterday.

Vaughan, England's most successful post-war Test captain, pointed to his stewardship of the 2005 Ashes triumph over Australia as the pinnacle of his time in the sport.

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

But having been overlooked for the training squad for the 2009 series, coupled with his recent omission from Yorkshire's squad for a Twenty20 encounter, he feels the time is right to walk away.

He insisted he would leave with no regrets.

Vaughan, with a clear lump in his throat but minus the tears of last August when he gave up the Test captaincy, said: "It's been a hard decision, I don't want this to be dejà vu from nine months ago, but you must understand it's been difficult.

"My decision came two weeks ago at Worcester. I just started to realise that there are younger players around the Yorkshire team, first and foremost, and certainly around the England team that need to be given the chance to move the game forward.

"I've given it my best shot – seven or eight months ago I was thinking that I should step down before December, but I wanted to give it one last hard effort to try to get into the Ashes squad.

"I haven't been playing well enough, in some instances my body hasn't been reacting the way I would like it to.

"And I guess two weeks ago when in the garden with my little lad Archie, he bowled a ball, it hit a weed and it knocked my off stump out of the ground.

Click here to read Michael Vaughan's factfile >>

"I think that was the time, if a three-year-old is bowling me out, to decide that it's time to move over."

He continued: "I know it's the right decision, I always say in the dressing room that your senior players have to be the most enthusiastic. I just had a feeling in the Yorkshire dressing room that I wasn't passing on that enthusiasm.

"I'd like to be remembered as someone who gave my all, I don't think I've left anything out there, I have no regrets."

Vaughan, who ended his Test career with an average of 41.44, played down rumours he is ready to move straight into the media, but refused to rule it out after he has taken a well-earned break.

He also dismissed any chance of an immediate return in a coaching or management role for England but, again, left his options open.

Vaughan did admit to spending an hour on the phone with Andrew Strauss yesterday morning discussing his decision.

The current England captain was quick to pay a glowing tribute to his former leader. "It's hard to speak highly enough about what he achieved as England captain, he really took England to a new level.

"He showed a huge amount of loyalty to me personally so I feel a huge amount of loyalty to him as a captain and as a friend.

"But his achievements can't be underestimated, taking the England team forward, the way he captained, the relaxed manner in which he was to get us playing, as well as the very positive outlook on how to play cricket.

"He's without doubt the best captain I've played under. It's a sad day that he's not going to be playing any more."

Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who was rival captain to Vaughan during the 2005 Ashes, said: "Michael was an exceptionally skilled and talented player whose record would stack up against most top-order batsmen who have played international cricket.

"He was a distinguished captain who led the side very well."


Bowing out with best England captaincy record

How Michael Vaughan will go down in history compared to some of the other finest England captains of all time.


Sir Len Hutton (1952-1955)

Became England's first professional captain against India in 1952, despite having never led Yorkshire.
Won 11 of 23 Tests as captain.


Peter May (1955-1961)

Hutton's vice-captain in Australia in 1954-55, May took over in 1955 when Hutton became ill.
Won 20 of his 41 Tests.


Mike Brearley (1977-1981)

Brearley's reign began in 1977 with an emphatic Ashes victory over Australia, but he is perhaps best remembered for his role in the triumphant 1981 Ashes series.
Won 18 of his 31 Tests.


Michael Atherton ('93-2001)

Named captain at 25, was tainted by 'dirt-in-pocket' affair against South Africa but more fondly remembered for innings such as 185 not out to earn a draw against them in 1995-9.
Won 13 of his 54 Tests.


Nasser Hussain ('99-2003)

Led England to four successive series wins and the team to third in the ICC rankings but suffered Ashes defeats in 2001 and 2002-03.
Won 17 of his 45 Tests.


Michael Vaughan (2003-08)

The Yorkshire batsman inherited the role when Hussain quit in 2003. Secured place in history in September, 2005 by becoming the first England captain to win an Ashes series since Mike Gatting in 1986-87.
Won 26 of his 51 Tests.

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