Cricket Rallies Round Seemingly Doomed Moores
England's coach is batting on a sticky wicket in his battle with the rookie captain
Friends and colleagues rallied around Peter Moorestoday , insisting the treatment of the England coach, whose job has come under intense pressure from the captain Kevin Pietersen in the past week, is "shabby" and shameful.
So far Moores, unlike Pietersen, has refused to comment but Mark Robinson, who replaced Moores as Sussex coach in 2005, said: "It's a great shame that instead of being sorted out in the dressing room it's in the public domain. Peter is a people person. It's his way to sort out problems face to face over a beer. He's not political or sly or manipulative in any way.
"Kevin, who's only been captain for a few months, should have shown Peter support instead of banging his fist on the table. Then the two of them should have worked out a way forward. A new team has been put in place on and off the field and they should be given the chance. I always felt like going on a three-mile run every time I talked to Peter. He has this ability to lift people and make them believe in themselves. He's a fantastic coach."
Tony Pigott, the former Sussex chief executive who hired Moores before they won the County Championship for the first time in 2003, said: "I roomed with Peter for 10 years and knew he was the right man . He did very well at Sussex and he did very well at the academy. And he would do very well with England if given the chance. If you let the England captain take charge you're asking for trouble."
The former England seamer Angus Fraser, Middlesex's new director of cricket, said: "There are many in the England set-up who like Moores and favor the coaching staff he has put in place. Pietersen, who sidestepped Moores and complained to Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, has treated the coach shabbily. Pietersen is a magnificent cricketer but his personality is flawed. He is an ambitious, calculated individual, known more for his petulance than his tolerance. He expects the world to be run to suit his needs and woe betide anyone who does not agree. It was the case when he left South Africa in the late 90s."
But Ray Illingworth, a former England captain and chairman of selectors, said: "The captain should have the main say. If he doesn't then he doesn't have the backing of the players. Moores is more of a stats man with a clipboard and Pietersen is more of a flair man with his own instincts." The position is likely to be resolved when Pietersen returns from holiday this week.
So far Moores, unlike Pietersen, has refused to comment but Mark Robinson, who replaced Moores as Sussex coach in 2005, said: "It's a great shame that instead of being sorted out in the dressing room it's in the public domain. Peter is a people person. It's his way to sort out problems face to face over a beer. He's not political or sly or manipulative in any way.
"Kevin, who's only been captain for a few months, should have shown Peter support instead of banging his fist on the table. Then the two of them should have worked out a way forward. A new team has been put in place on and off the field and they should be given the chance. I always felt like going on a three-mile run every time I talked to Peter. He has this ability to lift people and make them believe in themselves. He's a fantastic coach."
Tony Pigott, the former Sussex chief executive who hired Moores before they won the County Championship for the first time in 2003, said: "I roomed with Peter for 10 years and knew he was the right man . He did very well at Sussex and he did very well at the academy. And he would do very well with England if given the chance. If you let the England captain take charge you're asking for trouble."
The former England seamer Angus Fraser, Middlesex's new director of cricket, said: "There are many in the England set-up who like Moores and favor the coaching staff he has put in place. Pietersen, who sidestepped Moores and complained to Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, has treated the coach shabbily. Pietersen is a magnificent cricketer but his personality is flawed. He is an ambitious, calculated individual, known more for his petulance than his tolerance. He expects the world to be run to suit his needs and woe betide anyone who does not agree. It was the case when he left South Africa in the late 90s."
But Ray Illingworth, a former England captain and chairman of selectors, said: "The captain should have the main say. If he doesn't then he doesn't have the backing of the players. Moores is more of a stats man with a clipboard and Pietersen is more of a flair man with his own instincts." The position is likely to be resolved when Pietersen returns from holiday this week.
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