Last Updated: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:10
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has confirmed his retirement from all forms of professional cricket at the age of 34.
The 34-year-old Yorkshire batsman, who leaves the international scene as England's most successful Test captain of all time - with 26 wins from his 51 matches in charge - said the time was right for him to step down with immediate effect.
He said in a statement on the ECB official website: "After a great deal of consideration, I've decided that now is the right time to retire from cricket.
"It has been an enormous privilege to have played for and captained my country and this is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make.
"Having played almost non-stop for sixteen seasons, I feel that the time is right for the focus to shift to the next generation."
Vaughan added: "We have some fantastic talent coming through the English counties and, with the next Ashes series upon us, now is the time for the younger players to rise to the challenge of building on the success achieved in English cricket in the last few years.
"I'd like to record my sincere thanks to the England fans and the ECB and the members and supporters of Yorkshire County Cricket Club for their unstinting backing throughout my career as well as my wife Nicola and the rest of my family who have been equally supportive.
"I'm also extremely grateful to all of the players, managers, coaches, media and administrators I've worked with, who have all contributed to making my career so enjoyable and fulfilling."
Vaughan, whose achievements also include leading England to their first Ashes victory against Australia for 18 years in 2005, said: "I'd also like to wish Andrew Strauss and the current England team success in this Ashes series. I know they have the drive, ambition and abilities to repeat the success from 2005. Winning that series was most definitely the highpoint of my career."