Moores to succeed Fletcher

The England And Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced the appointment of Peter Moores as the new national team coach, a move which has surprised many given that an interim appointment had been expected. It comes less than 24 hours after Duncan Fletcher’s resignation was announced.

Chief Executive David Collier said: “The ECB has developed a contingency and succession plan for all key management positions. Peter has been identified for some time as a leading candidate as a future England head coach. He led Sussex to domestic success and is one of the highest qualified coaches in world cricket.

“He has worked since 2005 with the National Academy programme and has led tours with the England A Team. He is highly respected as an innovative and inspiring coach and is an ideal person to accept this appointment.”

Moores reflected: “It’s an honour to have been appointed as England head coach and to succeed Duncan Fletcher, who has been an outstanding coach of the England team. The challenge of this new role excites me and I look forward to meeting up with the players on their return to the United Kingdom and to leading England to success in both Test and one-day cricket.”

Moores will take over the job on May 1. He has previously worked as director of the ECB National Academy and guided Sussex to the County Championship in 2003.