Vaughan set to announce retirement

After being left out of last week's Ashes squad, Michael Vaughan is expected to announce his retirement from all cricket before the end of the month. Vaughan, who has been repeatedly hailed as England's best ever captain, will hang up the gloves halfway through the 2009 season, and in doing so, leave behind a very successful career with England and Yorkshire.

Back in 1999, Vaughan made his debut against a world-class South African side, making a resilient 33, before just 5 in the second innings. Perhaps it's fitting that he should end his career against the same nation. In the first innings he was dismissed first ball by the fiery Andre Nel, before the same bowler dismissed him for 17 in the second innings. However, sandwiched in between was a career full with trademark cover drives, elegant pulls, and numerous classy hundreds, most memorable those during the 2002-03 Ashes Series down under, in which he hit 3 centuries, including 183 at the SCG. He led England to 26 Test Match wins, 8 more than Mike Brearley, and 9 more than Nasser Hussain.

Vaughan held great respect within the dressing rooms, perhaps an indication of how successful he was. Players looked up to him, and more often than not, his batting set the example to the younger, less experienced players in the squad. His decision making was brave, and ruthless, and his ability to stay calm under immense pressure was incredible, and utterly inspiring. He very rarely showed emotion on the field, win or lose, with the odd exception - who can forget the Edgbaston Test of 2005 against the old enemy? Vaughan's temperament is something the younger generation should take heed from. Not only did he get his timing right in the field, with inspired bowling changes and innovative field placements, but his batting often clicked at just the right time. Looking back to the 2005 Ashes, a series of poor scores was followed by a much needed 177 at Old Trafford. He oozed class and confidence at the crease and that innings propelled England on to a performance that almost won them the match.

England will be hard pushed to find a better captain than Michael Vaughan, and a captain as calm, inspiring and as classy as the Yorkshireman. One gap that Vaughan left unfilled in his career was the lack of an ODI hundred. It bewilders people how a player of his quality could fall short on so many occasions, yet the question of how will remain unanswered. Lets not let that fog over our memories of Michael Vaughan. He will be forever remembered as the man who brought the Ashes home. A true legend.