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England's finest: Vaughan's innings closes
MICHAEL Vaughan's departure from cricket robs England of its best captain for decades and its most stylish batsman.
Inevitably, he yesterday picked the 2005 Ashes triumph as the pinnacle of his career when his cool leadership proved instrumental in giving his players the self belief they needed to vanquish the Australians, the best team of the modern era.
His brilliant 166 at Old Trafford in the third Test of the series led to panic in opposition ranks as he scored runs at will. Although England drew the match, they had secured the crucial psychological edge.
His cultured batting during 2002 and 2003 was the finest by an England player for years and he was ranked the world's best batsman.
Yorkshire members might grumble they never saw the best of him – his average for the county is below that at international level – but his influence on the game remains profound and no doubt the club will benefit from youngsters inspired to take up the game by England's efforts under his leadership.
The sporting gods rarely allow stars of any game to bow out on their own terms. A debilitating knee injury increasingly took its toll and meant he was never able to regain the form which made him such a formidable opponent.
His feats will always be remembered by those who saw him. The plain facts are the best epitaph to his career: an Ashes winner
and his country's most successful captain. All Yorkshire can be
immensely proud.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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