Defeat spells end for Vaughan

Michael Vaughan shows his emotions after England's defeat at Edgbaston

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At the end of a whirlwind, dramatic third npower Test it was little wonder that one of the biggest events in English cricket for years took place a day after South Africa secured their first series win on English soil since 1965.

Resignation could well have been the furthest thought in Michael Vaughan’s mind when he instructed South Africa to follow on having dismissed Graeme Smith’s side for 247 in their first innings of the first Test at Lord’s.

However, just a couple of Tests later and the 33-year-old has brought to a close an illustrious era at the helm having conceded he can no longer face the rigours of leading England.

He bequeaths a CV of 26 victories in 51 Tests - an England record - and it now seems fitting to remember the magnificent 2005 Ashes triumph that Vaughan masterminded.

That he has scored minimal runs in the current series now seems immaterial and for large periods of the Edgbaston encounter his England side played the kind of competitive, dynamic cricket that was Vaughan’s trademark.

England’s disappointing first-innings total of 231, in which the home side - in keeping with the unpredictable nature of a compelling series thus far - had initially looked handily placed on 68 without loss only to fold for a below-par total was always going to leave them handicapped.

An astounding burst from Andrew Flintoff in South Africa’s reply confirmed his re-arrival as England’s premier strike bowler on a second evening that put England back in with a shout.

Flintoff’s return to top form is one of the biggest plus points for England as they enter the post-Vaughan era, and his memorable spell at Jacques Kallis brought back shades of the over he sent down, on the same ground, to work over Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting in 2005.

Kallis also fell to Flintoff - an irresistible force with the ball throughout - in comical fashion in the second innings when the Lancastrian reverted to the yorker-cum-full toss.

Andrew Flintoff's bowling in the third Test announced his return as England's premier strike bowler

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To see Kallis, much unlike Neil McKenzie, who fell moments earlier in the same manner, lose his temper in such a manner shows how Flintoff has got the number of arguably the most unflappable batsman in world cricket.

England’s bowlers have performed consistently well in this series, and their efforts in limiting South Africa to 314 in reply to a sub-standard total was superb.

It left the home side with a golden opportunity to put down a marker and stake their claim for a win that would have squared the series and set up a mouthwatering clash at the Brit Oval.

However, in keeping with the seismic momentum shifts that have accompanied this series there was little for England’s fans to shout about as England’s top order folded to leave them 101 for four.

Included in those wickets was the departure of Vaughan in what proved his last knock as skipper.

His innings, a breezy 17 with four boundaries from 18 balls, was one in which he looked determined to hit his way into form and had his firm drive from a full Andre Nel delivery flown to the boundary instead of nestling in Hashim Amla’s hands his tenure as skipper could well be continuing.

Instead, as is the fine line in professional sport, he fell and it was left to Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood to attempt to drag England back into the fray.

Vaughan's attempts to play his way back into form cost him his wicket in the second innings at Edgbaston

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Pietersen played a typically exuberant innings full of the breathtaking strokeplay to which England fans have become accustomed, and the outrageous switch-hits coupled with some flamboyant whips looked to have given England the momentum they craved.

Unfortunately, his dismissal was undoubtedly a pivotal moment in the game but solace can be taken in the form of Collingwood’s obdurate effort.

England's number six had been, by his own admission, short of runs and the determination he displayed in making what could be termed a career defining 135 shows the measure of the man.

His late-order fireworks with Ryan Sidebottom pushed England up to a presentable total for South Africa to chase, England’s 363 being only the third time in 10 second innings they had registered 350 or above.

Graeme Smith’s match-winning knock will rightly take the plaudits after England eventually ran out of steam despite a promising afternoon session on day four, but having bowled in excess of 607 overs in three Tests it was perhaps understandable that dismissing South Africa again proved a bridge too far for England’s attack.

That it signalled the end of Vaughan’s reign is unfortunate, as neither Smith’s intractable innings nor Vaughan’s shrewd captaincy deserve anything but the highest praise.

It does, though, leave England with an opportunity to move on and put in place the foundations to face India this winter, a tour which acts as precursor to the Ashes next summer.