London: Ignored for England’s pre-Ashes squad and hampered by a nagging knee injury, former captain Michael Vaughan is all set to retire from international cricket this week, the British media reported on Sunday. The 34-year-old is expected to announce his decision later this week as “he does not want to block the progress of some promising young batsmen”, the ‘Daily Telegraph’ reported. Vaughan, who led England to the historic 2005 Ashes triumph at home, had opted out of the Indian Premier League auction earlier this year to work harder towards an international comeback.
But despite months of preparation, he couldn’t find a place in England’s 16-member pre-Ashes squad announced earlier this week. Vaughan’s career had hit a rough patch soon after the high of 2005 Ashes with the flaring up of his right knee injury that required surgery. England’s most successful captain tearfully gave up the job last August following poor form and fitness problems. His knee continued troubling him and despite declaring himself fit, he was not able to field a full day this year during the county season. Vaughan has played 82 Tests for England, captaining in 51 of them. He has also played 86 one-dayers, leading the side in 60 of these matches.
Well he hasn’t yet.
But he is going to, Scyld Berry said so.
I think this is for the best.
Once upon a time he was a top batsman.
His cover drive was pure as hell.
He scored at will.
When captaining he was composed and seemed to know what he was doing.
But he should have retired last year.
His knees were shot, his eyes were gone, his feet were slow, and his confidence had left him some time earlier.
Pride does strange thing to men, some keep their hairstyle for decades, others assume that time cannot weary them.
Michael Vaughan had become a 3 year old’s impression of what he used to be.
He was never one of my favourites, but it is sad to watch a player of class turn into a first class battler.
Well played Michael, you finally hit the straight one.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan will attend a news conference on Tuesday, the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement on Sunday.
There has been speculation that the 34-year-old was poised to announce his retirement with newspaper reports saying he was ready to quit after failing to win a place in England’s preliminary squad for this year’s Ashes series.
Vaughan enjoyed his finest hour in 2005 when he led England to a long awaited Ashes victory over Australia on home soil and he was the world’s top-ranked batsmen in 2003.
He has struggled with a succession of injury problems in recent years, playing the last of his 82 Tests in 2008.
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