England situation not healthy, says Pietersen

The controversy surrounding the England team, following reports of a rift between Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores, the coach, appears to have intensified with the captain admitting that the "situation is not healthy"

Cricinfo staff

04-Jan-2009

Former captains say problems can't remain

"It's a bit of a mess but I've got a feeling Kevin Pietersen will get his way. I think they are going to have to go with their captain because their captain is a mightily important figure in what happens this year and over the next few years." David Gower speaking to BBC Radio Five Live
"It is vital that a healthy working relationship between these two is in place even if socially they don't mix - and a united front is paramount so that there is no chance of a split within the camp." Alec Stewart writing in his Sunday Mirror column.
"If it's between Moores and Pietersen there's only one winner and that's Pietersen." Nasser Hussain talking to Sky Sports News
"From my own perspective Peter is a good friend and, I believe, an outstanding coach. Kevin has shown what a fantastic player he is, but I'm slightly surprised that having spent so little time in the job, he appears to be concerned about certain things." Chris Adams, who worked alongside Moores, speaking to the Daily Telegraph

"Obviously this situation is not healthy, we have to make sure it is settled as soon as possible and certainly before we fly off to the West Indies," he told the News of the World. "Everything has to be hunky dory, everybody has to have the same aims and pull in the same direction for the good of the England team."

The ECB had entrusted Hugh Morris, the managing director of England cricket, with the responsibility of resolving the ongoing conflict. It has also reportedly shortlisted a set of coaches to replace Peter Moores if the captain and coach cannot sort out their differences. The Sunday Telegraph said that Ashley Giles was being lined up as a stop-gap coach for the West Indies tour. Giles, currently an England selector, coached Warwickshire for a season after retiring last year, helping them back into Division One of the county championship.

Pietersen, however, was said to be favouring Graham Ford the Kent director of cricket. Ford coached South Africa between 1999 and 2002 and has been involved with Kent since 2005. He earned his coaching spurs during a popular and effective stint in the nineties in charge of Natal, where Pietersen played his first competitive cricket. He also worked with Pietersen during his school days.

He is reportedly not on the ECB shortlist, though. Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwe batsman and current England batting coach, is also not in the running as the ECB has apparently deemed him to have too little coaching experience.

Graham Ford Ashley Giles Kevin Pietersen Peter Moores England