Last Updated: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:32
Former England coach Duncan Fletcher believes Michael Vaughan has made the right decision if, as expected, he announces his retirement.
Fletcher and Vaughan worked together for several years with the national team and the Yorkshireman made his Test debut while the Zimbabwe tactician was at the helm.
Fletcher also made Vaughan England captain, with the pinnacle of their tenure together being the 2005 Ashes triumph on home soil.
Vaughan's omission from this summer's England training squad, which effectively rules him out of the Ashes series, appears to be the final straw for the 34-year-old, who had hoped to be included despite a lack of runs domestically this season.
The selectors went for the players who have performed well since returning to England from a disappointing tour of the Caribbean and it appears that Vaughan will call time on his career at a press conference on Tuesday.
Fletcher is sad that the cricket world has lost such a talented player and heaped praise on the man who scored three centuries on England's 2002-2003 tour to Australia.
"Vaughan was a classy batsman, but he became a marvellous captain and a good friend. English cricket can be very proud of him," he told the Guardian.
"The public saw one side only: a batsman who could cover-drive and pull like a dream, and a tactically astute leader who brought the best out of his players.
"What they didn't see was the gutsy fighter who could score 177 with a busted knee, as he did in Adelaide in 2002-03, or the burning desire which once made him furious with me when I told him he couldn't play in a one-dayer at Bristol against the Aussies because of a serious finger injury.
"It's sad that he's going to announce his retirement, but reluctantly I have to say he's made the right decision.
"Cricket, and not just English cricket, will miss him."