A tearful Vaughan announced his shock resignation yesterday following the series loss to South Africa, but ex-England captain Illingworth for one wasn't overly surprised by his decision.

After a short break, Vaughan – who has stepped down after five years at the England helm – intends to play his way back into the Test reckoning by rediscovering his form with Yorkshire.

Vaughan is desperately short of runs in the Test and county arena this term, averaging just eight in the current series with the Proteas – with only Monty Panesar having a worse average – and Illingworth believes he faces a stiff fight to extend his England career.

On whether the 33-year-old's decision to stand down was a surprise, Illingworth – one of a select band, along with Vaughan, of Yorkshire players to skipper their country to an Ashes victory – said: "Not really. You could see he was under pressure.

"The big point he made was that it was affecting his home life and that it was getting on top of him a bit. If that's the case, it's the right decision for him.

"He'll feel a big relief has been taken off his mind, there's no doubt about that."

And on Vaughan's international future, Illingworth – who skippered England 31 times, losing just five matches – added: "Somebody is going to come in (his place). And if he does well, you can't just say 'oh, we'll bring Michael Vaughan back', can you?

"Once you've relinquished your place, it all depends on how the thing goes and players have been getting runs around the country. It could be a case of 'the King is dead' and 'long live the King.'

"But with the way England have been batting in the past year or two, there's always a chance you'll get back in because nobody has been consistent!

"All he can do is get back to Yorkshire and try and get some runs."
On the departing skipper's tenure, Illingworth – one of England's most successful post-war captains along with Vaughan – added: "He's been a very successful captain, by and large.

"He's done a good job and has always been a good captain. And I don't think he can look back and regret much at all."

England will name a new Test skipper today – and with Paul Collingwood's exit as one-day captain coming straight after Vaughan's resignation, the ECB are expected to name one skipper for both forms of the game.

Kevin Pietersen is the favourite, with Andrew Strauss the other leading contender.

Illingworth said: "With Collingwood suddenly resigning from the one-day captaincy, it makes you wonder if he has been told what the situation is.

"It's a funny situation with him going at the same time (as Vaughan) and it looks a bit suspicious. There's only one or two in the running. It's probably between Strauss and Pietersen. Outside that, there isn't too many that you can pick."