Vaughan, Collingwood put in their papers

England national selector Geoff Miller will name England’s captain for the final Test beginning at The Oval on Thursday, and the subsequent one-day series, at a news conference at Lord’s on Monday.

South African-born Kevin Pietersen, 28, is the bookmakers’ favourite to lead both the Test and the one-day sides.

“This decision has been something that has crossed my mind for some time. I had every ambition to lead the England team to the next Ashes series (2009) but as England captain I feel I’ve run out of steam,” Vaughan told a news conference at the team’s training base in Lougborough.

“I believe that the best thing for the team is to embark on a new direction under a new captain.”

Praise from all quarters

HUGH Morris, the managing director of England cricket, praised Vaughan’s contribution to English cricket. “Michael has been the best possible ambassador for the game and his record as captain speaks volumes for the type of character he has instilled in the England dressing room,” Morris said.

Vaughan led England to their first Ashes victory over Australia for 18 years in 2005. A year before that, he was in charge of th English team, leading them to record eight successive Test wins. This year he has scored only 40 runs in five innings against South Africa.

“One of the reasons I haven’t scored runs is my mind hasn’t been as fresh,” he admitted. Vaughan said he would not be available for the final Test against South Africa but said he hoped to return refreshed to the Test arena after a short break from the game.

Collingwood, 32, endured a similar loss of form prior to scoring 135 at Edgbaston. “I’ve made the decision to step down as England’s one-day captain as I want to give myself the best chance to perform for England and enjoy my cricket,” he said. “I feel the captaincy impacted my ability to enjoy my cricket.”