To see a fully grown man blubbing like that looks so pathetic, and he has recently voiced his grave concerns about travelling to Pakistan, he just wanted out, full stop.

Ray, Watford,

I agree with Paul of Bracknell about the media Monty phenomenon for if MV had enjoyed the services of a decent spinner in the last test and at Lords he might well be 2 to 1 up now. Time for Rashid or Swann to join the new skipper. Both are at least as good spinners and can bat and field as well.

William Epps, Broadstairs, England

If they do select KP as the new England Captain, God help England. He is only in England because he could not make the South African team.
Straus is a far better man for the job.
Michael Vaughn, you served your team well! Thank you!

Arthur Goosen, Durban, South Africa

I think anybody that naysays Alistair Cook as captain of England should look to Graeme Smith as an example. Appointed at 22, he has proved inspirational & has built a team that conceivably may dethrone the Australians in 2009.

Give Cook the captaincy, support & nurture him and move England forward

Ian Pettit, Cardiff,

Thank God he has finally gone. He has been a disaster
from the start. You expect a Captain to be able to get a few runs.

Harry Hyams, Cheltenham, Glos.

To reject KP because he was born in SA is absurd. Where was Cowdrey born????
To David/Poole - we lost because we weren't good enough.We need someone to lead by example; someone with clear understanding of the game, with audacity; creative; focussed: MV is not that man. There are other candidates.

Clive, Caracas, Venezuela

To say I am sorry that MV has stood down would be an understatement. His leadership and tactical skills are excellent. KP as captain will be as big a mistake as appointing Freddie. Strauss is my choice - he should have been last time and should be now.

Bert, Beaumaris, Australia

Disagree with most of the comments here welcoming MV's decision. I see it in the light of absurd English expectations, mainly media. So you lost to a good South African side, it doesn't mean the captain should resign. He is a good captain, especially in the absence of a decent replacement.

David, Poole, UK

Why don't we simply choose the eleven best players and ask one of them to be captain? All the tactics and strategies could be sorted out by three experts in the dressing room and then the best options relayed to the captain who could then make the final decision. Why waste a playing position?

Al, weybridge, UQ

A very brave and dignified announcement. What a pity we laost MV as captain.
Next problem is who is to replace him.
KP bad choice .
Strauss probably the best for captain but also not on best of form we are in danger of getting worse.
Bring back MV as skipper.
KEN

Ken Adams, Sherborne, Dorset

I can't believe some of these comments. Pietersen is your best player by a mile but he's not good enough to captain because he's South African? You can't have it both ways. By the way, someone should have told him that before he got that stupid tattoo.

James, London,

The right decision from a scholar and gentlemen of the game. He has been a superb captain over the past five years and for that shall be ever remembered as one of the very best. And he still has the best cover drive in the game.

Good luck to you sir and thank you!

Ed Morris, Linlithgow, UK

ramps for captain

reggie, Banstead, uk

I think Pietersen is good in the team but just too flamboyant to lead this side, he´s too focused on himself (which isn´t a abd hing if he performs the way we know he can).
Give Cook a go!

Hat off to Vaughan aswell, it was the right thing to do.

Caroline, Frankfurt, Germany

Finally failures with the bat has forced Micheal Vaughan into relinquishing captaincy. With this form he would certainly have lost his place soon. I think it is a great decision. He has done what he could. He won the Ashes and led his team to many glorious moments. Great job, skipper!

Prateek Srivastava, Delhi, India

Congratulations to Michael Vaughan for doing the right thing. We now need some radical changes - batsmen who will average above 50, for example; failsafe fielding, and aggressive, accurate bowling.

Clive, Caracas, Venezuela

John, you are partly right.
We definitely need a new spinner and new wicket keeper. Bowling attack also needs looking too. Not sure about Cook as captain though, he may be too young. What is annoying is this Monty phenomenon that has been perpetuated by the media rather than actually cricket ability

Paul, Bracknell,

It is sad that for all his heroics for England, KP is still regarded as South African by some, when it suits them, and thus and looked at with suspicion.

Pule T, Johannesburg, South Africa

The man he called a "muppet" is what captaincy is all about. Could KP have played a knock like that?? No. He showed us in his 94. The selectors should ask Warney for advice - he knows more about cricket than anyone else and also knows KP pretty well.

Denis Miller, Guilford, USA

Wasn't Vaughan personally responsible for Trescothick's nervous breakdown - now that's not cricket!

Mike, Baldwin, US

No no please, not Kevin Pietersen as captain.

Don't the selectors learn? Having the biggest ego as captain never works.

Look at Botham, Boycott, Flintoff . Truly great cricketers all but , like KP, they can't be great captains, because they think about themselves before the team.

It's SO obvious!

Alan Bilton, Spalding, England

It is all well and good Vaughan stepping down But who will follow him to captain England? Pietersen? Never he has not got the right attitude and will never be a team player what ever he says.
Struass? He is now getting on and it looks as though his best is behind him.
Flintoff?? not 100% fit>

Garry, Lancaster,

The right thing to do. Well done Michael Vaughan for your courage in making this decision. HAve some time off, get back to county cricket and build some good innings. Then come back refreshed and knock a few more centuries for England!

Please don't pick Pieterson as skipper!

Steve, Warwick,

Thanks Vaughany. You did a great job. Come back refreshed and bat like you did in Sydney in 2003. An innings I witnessed and will never forget.

W D Taylor, Southampton,

Much as I respect Vaughan's decision to resign, I would have preferred for him to stay as captain and move a bit down the order. It is suggested that Pieterse will be the new captain. I think he is a wonderful player but would prefer the steadier Strauss to be captain.

Mark Budden, Bridport, UK

Good luck to Michael Vaughan, he has the humility to accept he is not performing well and the desire to prove himself without the added pressure of the captaincy. Winning is easy, accepting defeat with grace is hard. A fine example for other sportspersons and future players everywhere.

Dave Lewis, Milton Keynes, England

Vaughan's departure is long overdue. His batting is suspect (playing round the ball). He is not a leader.
Cricket, of course, is a team game. It would be a travesty of justice, therefore, if Pietersen is made captain of England. He is selfish, and an ego-tripper, and never plays for the team.

Anthony Robertson, Stranraer, U. K.

No way can KP be considered for the England captaincy! An exellent player yes but he's a show off who only plays for himself AND as no experience of captaincy! Not to mention hes a South African. Its got to be Rob Key!

david, Cardiff, South Wales

We need an English Captain not South African he is a risk they would be better off picking Cook as the new England Captain he's young and very good, but we need more than a captain a new spinner new keeper and a fresh bowling attack

john Apperley, Hereford, Herefordshire

Finally!

England might have some success now, with a South African captain.

Kyle, Essex, England

This is an honourable decision and does great credit to him. He has led England to some memorable victories and can resign with pride. Now let's see what Pieterson can do !!!

Peter C, Ravensburg, Germany

Thank you Vaughan, its been great, the ashes in 2005 was one of the best cricketing moments I have ever witnessed.

Thank you for being a great captain.

Mal, Southampton, Hants