Ponting surprised at Vaughan8217;s retirement

8220;I must admit I am a bit surprised by his retirement,8221; said Ponting,who will lead Australia in a four-day warm-up match against England Lions here at New Road starting on Wednesday.

8220;It is only a couple of months ago that I was thinking he might be named in the first Test squad by England. I thought he might have a bit more to offer international cricket somewhere down the line. With him being a contracted player,I thought there was a chance he might have found himself back in the Ashes squad.

8220;But Ravi Bopara came in and grabbed his opportunity with both hands. I guess it just goes to show with a few of the younger guys coming into the England set-up and grabbing their opportunity,he might have felt his time might have passed,8221; he added.

The 34-year-old Yorkshire batsman announced his retirement from all forms of cricket yesterday after failing to make the cut for England8217;s 16-member Ashes training squad ahead of the first Test against Australia in Cardiff.

Ponting heaped praise on Vaughan terming him as an exceptional player and distinguished captain. 8220;Michael was an exceptionally skilled and talented player whose record would stack up against most top order batsmen who have played international cricket. He was a distinguished captain who led the side very well. Good luck with what he does after cricket. He was always a highly respected and skilled opponent,8221; Ponting said.

Meanwhile,South African-born England batsman and Vaughan8217;s former teammate Kevin Pietersen gave thumbs up to his decision and said the timing of retirement was perfect.

8220;It is brilliant and just shows how great the man is. Vaughany always knew the right time to do anything 8211; tactics-wise and when he batted,8221; Pietersen was quoted as saying in 8216;The Mirror8217;.

8220;To let Straussy know to continue leading the team and let Ravi know to continue going in at No.3 without having to worry about anything 8211; the timing is perfect,8221; he added.

Pietersen said even though Vaughan was retiring,he would have a role to play during the Ashes. 8220;The man is a great leader of men but he has left us in really good hands. Straussy still communicates with Vaughan on a friendly basis,and myself and some of the other lads do too.8221;

Paul Collingwood,who played in the final Test of the 2005 series where a draw helped the hosts win their first Ashes in 18 years,felt Vaughan would be missed.

8220;He8217;s going be a huge miss 8211; his contribution to English cricket as a whole over the last decade has been phenomenal,8221; Collingwood said.

8220;He8217;s a great personal friend of mine and just a great bloke,a team man and always someone you could go up and talk to. He8217;d deal with you in a jovial,light-hearted way and the players went out relaxed and enjoyed themselves. He8217;s a great man and will be sorely missed around the team,8221; he added.