Michael Vaughan has decided to step down as England test captain in the wake of the series defeat by South Africa, he told a news conference yesterday.

"Today I have decided to stand down as England captain. To be honest it is the hardest decision I have ever had to make but also the easiest," said Vaughan.

His decision after five years as captain followed England's five-wicket loss to South Africa on Saturday.

That result left the hosts trailing 2-0, with one Test remaining, and inflicted the first back-to-back defeats of Vaughan's captaincy.

England's one-day captain Paul Collingwood is also stepping down. Vaughan had been replaced as one-day captain by Collingwood in 2007.

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