ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss hailed the retiring Michael Vaughan as the best leader he has known on a cricket field.

Vaughan, 34, is bowing out of all forms of cricket and will be best remembered for leading England to victory in the thrilling 2005 Ashes series.

Current Ashes squad members pay tribute to Michael Vaughan, who has retired from cricket

"He is the best captain I’ve played under," said Strauss.

"That goes for any form of cricket.

"His achievements can’t be underestimated, the way he took the team forward, the relaxed way he was able to get us playing cricket.

"A lot of the stuff was behind the scenes – the way he dealt with players on a oneto- one basis was exceptional.

And he cared.

"It’s important to remember what a great player he was. It’s a sad day."

Strauss said he took some of the lessons Vaughan had taught him into his own style of captaincy.

He said: ‘‘He’s his own man and it’s important I don’t try and copy what he did, but there are certain things he brought in which I think are fundamental to doing well – backing your players so they’re comfortable enough to do their own thing."

He added: "It’s great he’s going out when people have such high regard for him as a captain and as a bloke.

"He felt it was the right time and that’s the most important thing.

We wouldn’t want to influence him one way or the other."

Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted he was surprised by Vaughan’s decision.

Ponting, rival captain to Vaughan during the 2005 Ashes, felt that he still had an international future ahead of him. He said: "It is only a couple of months ago that I was thinking he might be named in the first Test squad.

"I thought he might have a bit more to offer international cricket somewhere down the line.

"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 well."

Paul Collingwood, captain for England’s recent ICC World Twenty20 campaign, hailed Vaughan’s impact on the game.

He said: "He’s going be a huge miss – his contribution to English cricket as a whole over the last decade has been phenomenal."

Collingwood played in the final Test against Australia in 2005 at The Oval, helping England secure a draw which enabled them to regain the Ashes. And the Durham allrounder added: "He’d deal with you in a jovial, lighthearted way and the players went out relaxed and enjoyed themselves.

"He’s a great man and will be missed around the team."

Graham Thorpe, who retired after missing out on a place in the 2005 Ashes side, said: "The timing of it is right. I remember from personal experience what it was like at the end of your career.

"You’re a player who’s been left out but you have to make a decision because you’re still a story for the press."