KP and Moores Face Off

England captain Kevin Pietersen and coach Peter Moores are not gelling well with each other and their internal conflict threatens to create a rift in the English outfit. The relationship between the two has hit a new low last week with KP openly asking the ECB to have an emergency meeting before the team embarks on a tour to the West Indies to discuss the role of the coach.

There was widespread media speculation that all was not well between the captain and the the coach ever since KP assumed the captaincy. The poor performances of the English team in Stanford T/20 and the series in India seems to have created further rift. The non selection of former England captain Michael Vaughan for the Windies tour also didnot go well with KP. If the differences between them are not solved, it will most probably lead to the sacking of Moores.

At a time when the all important "Ashes" series is just a few months away, and the Australian team facing its worst slump in more than a decade, this is probably the worst thing that can happen to the English team. When should be focussing on regaining the "Ashes", they are forced to sort out their internal conflict which will hamper their preparation and focus. And even if both Moores and KP are made to sort out their issues, differences may crop up as regards to the team selection. This is not an ideal scenario to be in. The previous England coach Duncan Fletcher was in hot water due to the non-selection of certain individuals after the last Ashes series in 2006-07. Deja-vu anyone????