Pietersen captaincy under threat

Both England coach Peter Moores and captain Kevin Pietersen's jobs could be under threat following a meeting of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

An emergency summit of the 12-man board was held on Tuesday to discuss the rift between the pair and further talks are being held on Wednesday.

Reports suggest the ECB is unhappy the spat has been aired in public and could dismiss both men.

Players and coaching staff are said to be split on who to support.

The matter needs to be resolved swiftly as the squad heads to the Caribbean on 21 January for a Test and one-day series against the West Indies.

Former players, including David Gower and Alec Stewart, have suggested Pietersen would win a power battle between him and Moores.

But Pietersen's job as captain is also said to be in jeopardy as it is rumoured he does not have the support of all the players or coaches.
BBC Sport's Jonathan Agnew said: "The key is whether Pietersen was acting with the backing of the team, it now appears this was not the case.

"Moores looks certain to lose his job, that he does so in these unhappy circumstances is therefore down to Pietersen.

"Whether he miscalculated, or genuinely felt this was in the team's best interests, only he can explain when he returns on Thursday, but such is the hardening of attitude against him now, he might do so having lost the captaincy.

"That will be decided at further meetings on Wednesday and if Pietersen pays the price for his actions, we can expect Andrew Strauss to be promoted, possibly as early as this afternoon."

Former chairman of selectors Ray Illingworth told BBC 5 Live on Monday the best solution could be both men losing their positions.

He said: "The captain has got to have his say but, having said that, I don't think Kevin Pietersen should get in position where he can decide who the coach of England is going to be.

"If it means that both have to go to sort the thing out then so be it because there are other people who can captain the England side.

"It's not all one way and reading between the lines some people support Peter Moores and some people support Kevin Pietersen.

"That is not a happy situation to have in the camp. It's a very, very difficult situation but it certainly can't be allowed to carry on until they go to the West Indies and the Ashes during the summer."

Pietersen has admitted his relationship with Moores is strained as the pair differ on how to take England forward.

Reports suggest the board's initial support for the captain has shifted as some players are angered by Pietersen's actions, which they believe have undermined the coach.

Meanwhile, the coaching staff are thought to be staying loyal to Moores who has lost four out of seven Test series since succeeding Duncan Fletcher 18 months ago.

BBC