LONDON, August 3, 2008 (AFP) - Michael Vaughan on Sunday resigned as England cricket captain, saying it was both the hardest and the easiest decision he has made.

His decision follows Saturday's five-wicket defeat against South Africa in the third Test at Edgbaston, which gave the Proteas an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

'It's just the right time I feel to move forward with a new captain and new direction,' a tearful Vaughan told a press conference.

'I've put my heart and soul into the job but my head is telling me to pack it in.'

Vaughan said he now wanted to take a break and come back and finish the season for county cricket side Yorkshire.

'I just want to try and freshen up the mind and get back to playing as a batsmen. I do believe these could be the best years of my playing career.

'That's the one thing I want to get back doing.'

The 33-year-old made his Test debut in South Africa in 1999, and captained his country for the first time at Lord's.