The Crying Game

Vaughan - not a happy chap.

Michael Vaughan's emotional resignation speech on Sunday may have tugged the heartstrings of some of the most hardened cricket scribes. It isn't often that you see beneath the professional veneer of an international cricketer. Cricket365 takes a look at some of the other occasions when the tear ducts threatened to cause local flooding.

BOOF GOES BLUBBING
Darren Lehmann 's tough exterior went into meltdown when he announced his retirement from first class cricket at the Adelaide Oval in November last year.

Lehmann told a press conference that injuries were the deciding factor in calling time on a 20-year career which produced more than 25,000 first class runs for Australia, South Australia and Yorkshire. "I think I'm playing well enough at this level still, but the injuries are just getting too much, it's getting harder to get out of bed in the morning to start with,"

But it wasn't just the injuries that were getting too much. Like Vaughan, Lehmann became emotional when mentioning the support of his wife Andrea and family. Pass the hankies, mate.

CLARKE INSPIRED BY IN-LAW ILLNESS
A tearful Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke fulfilled one of the dying wishes of fiance Lara Bingle's father by scoring a century in the second Test against the West Indies at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in June.

Clarke welled up as he looked to the heavens and dedicated his ton to Graham Bingle, who died three weeks previously.

"I know all of my family and all of Lara's family wanted me to come over here and play. It's hard being away from Lara and her family, but today was obviously very special to make a century knowing that my to-be father-in-law would certainly have been proud of me," he added.

Clarke's own father, Les, has battled cancer and he missed the IPL to spend time with him. The emotion of the day clearly affected the right-hander who nestled his head in his arm and wiped tears from his eyes as he tried to compose himself.

HUGHES HOUNDED BY HATEFUL HATE
Kim Hughes broke down in tears and resigned the captaincy mid-way through the Australian-West Indian home series in 1984 after an appalling run of form and an even worse leadership record that led to stinging criticism from the media.

The statement he had prepared read: "The constant speculation, criticism and innuendo by former players and sections of the media have taken their toll. In the interest of the team, Australian cricket and myself, I have informed the ACB of my decision to stand down as Australian captain."

Unfortunately, Hughes only managed to get to "In the interests of the team", before handing over to Bob Merriman, the Australian manager, and leaving the room.

HUSSAIN GETS HURT OVER HARARE
During the controversial World Cup in 2003, England players were coming under intense pressure to agree to play in Harare despite contradictory evidence about the safety of playing in Zimbabwe. Nasser Hussain, not the most relaxed of individuals, was on the edge.

"I still firmly believe that this group of cricketers, given the situation between England and Zimbabwe and the political wranglings, have been let down. It leaves me as captain in isolation. My trust in authority, today and for the past few weeks, has left me completely low."

Asked whether he would now consider his future, Hussain said: "Yes." Clearly choking with emotion, he was then asked if that suggested he was considering standing down at the end of the tournament, to which he replied: "It suggests so, most definitely." He didn't, but old wotsisname finished him off a few months later.

INZI GOES ALL WEEPY AFTER WIELDING WILLOW AT LAST WORLD CUP
Inzamam-ul-Haq ended his reign as Pakistan captain with a gushing farewell at the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

The big man hit 37 off 35 balls as his side paid tribute to the memory of coach Bob Woolmer with a convincing victory over Zimbabwe.

Inzamam left the field in tears after being given a guard of honour by his teammates.

"First of all, thanks to Bob, we dedicate this to Bob because he was a wonderful person, an elder for us and he's not in this world now," Inzamam said, holding back tears.

"Every Pakistani, every cricket lover, every man is sad about him."

TRESCO'S TEARS OVER HEALTH FEARS
Marcus Trescothick suffered a breakdown during day two of the match against New South Wales and had to be cared for by the team doctor before asking for a release from the 2006 Ashes tour.

"We decided well maybe the best way to deal with it was bring his wife [Hayley] out," said Duncan Fletcher, England coach at the time. "And then I was a little bit uncomfortable about that, because was that going to help the problem?"

"It was unpleasant in the change room with him," Fletcher continued. "The doctor just had to sit and console him for about two hours or so. After a while the doctor spoke to him and said to him it's best if he does go home. I only told the chaps last night after the game."

CRONJE CRUMBLES AT END OF COMMISSION
In June 2000, sacked South Africa cricket captain Hansie Cronje ended his evidence to the King match-fixing commission in tears, and with a promise to use his illicit gains to mend the harm he had done to the sport and the country.

"I hope I can put the money to good use to try to redress the wrongs I have done to my game and my country," said Cronje, who admitted taking $140,000 from bookmakers.

Cronje, who was described by his psychiatrist as being clinically depressed, burst into tears as the panel of lawyers at the commission concluded their cross-examination The 30-year-old's face crumpled as he was led out of the venue, his career in cricket over. Two years later, he was dead.

Tim Ellis