I’ll walk away with no regrets, says Vaughan

MICHAEL VAUGHAN joked being bowled by his three-year-old son was enough to tell him it as the right time to retire from cricket. The former England captain, 34, yesterday at Edgbaston called time – as expected – on a glittering career that stretched back almost 17 years.

Vaughan pointed to his stewardship of the 2005 Ashes triumph against Australia as the highlight of his time in the sport. But having been overlooked for this summer’s series against Australia he feels the time is right to walk away. Vaughan said: ‘It’s been a hard decision.

‘My decision came two weeks ago at Worcester. I just started to realise there are younger players around that need to be given the chance to move the game forward. I’ve given it my best shot. I wanted to give it one last,hard effort to try to get into the Ashes squad. But I haven’t been playing well enough. ‘And I guess two weeks ago when in the garden with my little lad Archie,he bowled a ball, it hit a weed and it knocked my off stump out of the ground. I think that was the time; if a three-year-old is bowling me out, then it’s time to move over.’

Headded: ‘I’d like to be remembered as someone who gave my all. I don’t think I’ve left anything out there, I have no regrets.’ Current England captain Andrew Strauss said: ‘His achievements can’t be underestimated, the way he took the team forward, the relaxed way he was able to get us playing cricket.’