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

Vaughan, 34, announced at a press conference this morning he was bowing out of all forms of cricket.

The former Yorkshire batsman will be best remembered for leading England to victory in the thrilling 2005 Ashes series, their first victory against Australia in 18 years, and Strauss said he had learnt a lot from playing under Vaughan.

"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 one-to-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."

Vaughan's announcement came after he was omitted from England's training squad ahead of the upcoming Ashes.

And, though talk of a possible international comeback persisted even after that squad was announced, Strauss denied there had been any influence from the England set-up over the timing of Vaughan's decision.

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 to quit the game.

Ponting, who was rival captain to Vaughan during the 2005 Ashes, felt that he still had an international future ahead of him.

Ponting told Press Association Sport: "I must admit I am a bit surprised by his retirement.

"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.

Looking back at Vaughan

"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."

Ponting added: "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."

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 batsman added: "He'd deal with you in a jovial, light-hearted way and the players went out relaxed and enjoyed themselves.

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

Matthew Hoggard, another of England's 2005 Ashes winners, told Sky Sports News: "When there's lots at stake you want to look at your captain and your senior players and see them with a level head, knowing which way he wanted to go.

"We could always turn to Michael. He did everything with a smile on his face and was very level-headed."

Stuart Broad, one of the younger generation of England cricketers, revealed Vaughan had a big influence on him as a cricketer.

"He was one of my heroes when I was growing up and I've had the honour and privilege to play under him," said Broad.

"He's had a fantastic career and will be looked upon as one of the greats."

Graham Thorpe, who retired after missing out on a place in the 2005 Ashes side, backed Vaughan's decision.

He 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.

"The fact he's not involved takes that out of the equation which is not a bad thing because it allows the players who are in there to go out there and do their stuff.

"He's been a brilliant captain and player for England but the timing is right."