England cricket captains Michael Vaughan and Paul Collingwood have both stepped down as Test and one-day captains in a major shakeup for Australia’s oldest sporting rival.
Vaughan announced he would leave his post after England loss to South Africa in the third Test yesterday, which gave the Proteas their first series in England in 43 years.
It’s the third straight series defeat for England under Vaughan’s captaincy.
"I've made the decision to stand down as England captain," an emotional Vaughan told reporters.
"It's the hardest decision I've ever had to make but also the easiest.
"The hardest because I'm giving away the job I've loved for the last five years, one I've put my heart and soul into, but also the easiest because my mind has told me to pack it in.
"I felt if I kept going my career could come to an abrupt end – hopefully, this can prolong my career.
"I will carry on playing because I think there are a lot more runs in me.
"This decision will prolong my career. I'm moving better than ever in the field so hopefully this decision will make my last few years a very exciting time."
Vaughan will step down from the Test team in the short term and miss the fourth Test at the Oval.
"I will take a break from the game so I won't be playing at The Oval," he said.
"I just want to try and freshen up the mind and get back to playing as a batsman. I do believe these could be the best years of my playing career.
"That's the one thing I want to get back doing."
Collingwood, 32, followed Vaughan in resigning as one-day captain, saying his game had suffered as a result of taking the captaincy.
Collingwood was the man at the centre of a controversy against New Zealand this season, where a Black Caps batsman was run-out after being knocked over in a collision with an England bowler.
Collingwood refused to withdraw his appeal, leaving the umpires with no choice but to give the batsman out, to the fury of the New Zealand team.
