Pietersen resigns: Cricket's colourful captains

English cricket is in turmoil after captain Kevin Pietersen and coach Peter Moores reportedly stepped down from their positions. The news comes amid one of the most turbulent times in England's recent history, with poor results, in-fighting, and the Mumbai crisis staining the team's preparation for this year's Ashes. Pietersen, who has been captain for only five months, has been embroiled in a bitter power-struggle with coach Moores in recent weeks, the two having opposed views on various on and off-field decisions. A key point of contention was the decision not to include former captain Michael Vaughan in the squad. His omission is said to have riled Pietersen and prompted the skipper to go public with his unhappiness. The England and Wales Cricket Board convened for an emergency meeting as they sought to make headway in resolving the rift, but it was widely speculated that Moores would be the one to make way. The report comes a fortnight before the team fly out to the West Indies and six months before the beginning of the Ashes on July 8 in Cardiff.

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ITN | January 7, 2009

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