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Craig HillEngland Captain Kevin Pietersen Resigns And Coach Peter Moores Sacked
January 8th 2009 07:58
Kevin Pietersen resigned as England captain and coach Peter Moores was sacked on a dramatic day for English cricket. The England and Wales Cricket Board admitted there had been an 'irretrievable breakdown' in the relationship between Moores and Pietersen.
The ECB also revealed there had been a split in the dressing room caused by the row between the pair.
Pietersen will continue to be available for selection for England, while Andrew Strauss will captain the team on the forthcoming tour of the West Indies.
Hugh Morris, managing director of England cricket, said: "The England and Wales Cricket Board have late this afternoon accepted, with regret, the resignation of Kevin Pietersen as England captain."
"Kevin recognised that in the present situation it was impossible to restore the dressing room unity, which is vital, if England are to win the forthcoming tour to the Caribbean, the ICC global events or regain the Ashes in the npower Ashes Test series."
"Kevin Pietersen is highly valued as a senior and experienced player and we are delighted that he has indicated he wishes to continue to represent England in all their forthcoming international fixtures, starting in the Caribbean later this month."
Morris added: "I have an extremely high respect and regard for Kevin Pietersen but this has become an impossible situation given the irretrievable breakdown of the relationship between captain and coach."
"With regard to Peter Moores, the board determined that he should relinquish his role as England team director."
"Andrew Strauss has agreed to lead the team to the Caribbean. He led the England team with distinction in 2006 when Michael Vaughan was injured."
"The Board will announce the coaching set-up for the Caribbean tour as soon as possible and will embark on an immediate search for a coach who can provide England with the best chance of success in the coming years."
It had been reported since early on Wednesday morning that Pietersen had vacated the role and that coach Moores had also quit.
Prior to the ECB press conference, Pietersen released a statement confirming his decision to quit.
"Contrary to speculation in the press earlier today, I wish to make it very clear that I have not previously resigned as captain of the England cricket team," Pietersen's statement read.
"However, in light of recent communications with the ECB, and the unfortunate media stories and speculation that have subsequently appeared, I now consider that it would be extremely difficult for me to continue in my current position with the England cricket team."
"Accordingly, I have as of this afternoon decided to stand down as England captain with immediate effect."
"Notwithstanding my resignation as England captain, I still fully intend to be a part of both England's Test and one-day international squad to tour the West Indies next month, and to do all I can to recapture the Ashes during the summer."
"I wish to add, I have principles in my professional and personal life on how things are done, and during my time as England captain I have always been both helpful and direct in my communications with the ECB, and at no time, contrary to press speculation, have I released any unauthorised information to the media regarding my relationships with the players, coaches and the ECB itself."
"I am extremely sad and disappointed to have to relinquish the captaincy at such an early stage, especially in a crucial year for English cricket and in such circumstances, particularly when I feel that I have much more to offer the England team as captain."
"However, this decision will not affect my determination to continue playing international cricket for England, doing all I can to win matches for the team and supporting whoever captains the team in the future."
The ECB also revealed there had been a split in the dressing room caused by the row between the pair.
Pietersen will continue to be available for selection for England, while Andrew Strauss will captain the team on the forthcoming tour of the West Indies.
Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores
Hugh Morris, managing director of England cricket, said: "The England and Wales Cricket Board have late this afternoon accepted, with regret, the resignation of Kevin Pietersen as England captain."
"Kevin recognised that in the present situation it was impossible to restore the dressing room unity, which is vital, if England are to win the forthcoming tour to the Caribbean, the ICC global events or regain the Ashes in the npower Ashes Test series."
"Kevin Pietersen is highly valued as a senior and experienced player and we are delighted that he has indicated he wishes to continue to represent England in all their forthcoming international fixtures, starting in the Caribbean later this month."
Morris added: "I have an extremely high respect and regard for Kevin Pietersen but this has become an impossible situation given the irretrievable breakdown of the relationship between captain and coach."
"With regard to Peter Moores, the board determined that he should relinquish his role as England team director."
"Andrew Strauss has agreed to lead the team to the Caribbean. He led the England team with distinction in 2006 when Michael Vaughan was injured."
"The Board will announce the coaching set-up for the Caribbean tour as soon as possible and will embark on an immediate search for a coach who can provide England with the best chance of success in the coming years."
It had been reported since early on Wednesday morning that Pietersen had vacated the role and that coach Moores had also quit.
Prior to the ECB press conference, Pietersen released a statement confirming his decision to quit.
"Contrary to speculation in the press earlier today, I wish to make it very clear that I have not previously resigned as captain of the England cricket team," Pietersen's statement read.
"However, in light of recent communications with the ECB, and the unfortunate media stories and speculation that have subsequently appeared, I now consider that it would be extremely difficult for me to continue in my current position with the England cricket team."
"Accordingly, I have as of this afternoon decided to stand down as England captain with immediate effect."
"Notwithstanding my resignation as England captain, I still fully intend to be a part of both England's Test and one-day international squad to tour the West Indies next month, and to do all I can to recapture the Ashes during the summer."
"I wish to add, I have principles in my professional and personal life on how things are done, and during my time as England captain I have always been both helpful and direct in my communications with the ECB, and at no time, contrary to press speculation, have I released any unauthorised information to the media regarding my relationships with the players, coaches and the ECB itself."
"I am extremely sad and disappointed to have to relinquish the captaincy at such an early stage, especially in a crucial year for English cricket and in such circumstances, particularly when I feel that I have much more to offer the England team as captain."
"However, this decision will not affect my determination to continue playing international cricket for England, doing all I can to win matches for the team and supporting whoever captains the team in the future."
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