Vaughan stressed as skipper

Vaughan stressed as skipper

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has spoken of the stresses involved in leading his country.

The 34-year-old led England for just over five years, but stepped down in August 2008 after running out of the emotional energy needed to lead the side.

He told the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2009: "I wasn't very good at switching off. I thought about the captaincy 24-7 and that is why it took its toll.

"Even in my year out with a knee injury, I was still thinking about how to make us a great team. Even when playing golf, after two or three holes I'd get back to strategies for beating Australia and what sort of cricket we had to play.

"For three-quarters of my time I didn't worry about my decision-making. Towards the end, especially in my last series in charge against South Africa, I started to question myself.

"In sport, the more you start to think, the more you have a problem. I didn't want to go on as captain for a year too long.

"A lot of captaincy is about acting - you want your team-mates to play naturally and be themselves, but the captain has to act. Your job is to lead with a calm authority.

"The players in my last year as captain didn't know I was struggling and that is one of the things I will always be proudest of."