Must England sack Moores to regain Ashes?

Hugh Morris would rather hand out a peace charter than a P45, but the England managing director may be forced to act against character before the week is out to end the relationship between Peter Moores and Kevin Pietersen. The split is surely beyond repair and Moores should be relieved of his duties as England head coach as swiftly as possible to allow the team to move on.

What makes the position of Moores untenable is not the content of stories about the rift with the captain. Rather, he was condemned by the silence that followed. Pietersen's failure to deny reports represented confirmation, even tacit approval, and has raised the stakes to a level where one of the pair must pay with their job. And Pietersen knows who is the more expedient casualty.

Morris spoke over the weekend to both Pietersen, who is due to return from holiday in Africa on Thursday, and Moores, whose “no comment” on being asked by a journalist whether he can feasibly work again with Pietersen gave brighter illumination than any attempt at an answer. Why say anything that would bring about loss of dignity or jeopardise a compensation payment?

The cracks are too wide and too widely known to be bridged by a shake of hands and a fresh start. Pietersen told the Sunday newspaper for which he writes that the issue must be settled before the squad leaves for the West Indies on January 21.

If Moores is still in situ, then players will be confused about what they can prudently say and to whom. Their relationship will be a continual focus of media scrutiny.

Not all of the contracted players are determinedly anti-Moores. Many will get on with their jobs whoever the coach (or captain, for that matter). Paul Collingwood is one who will be happy to see a change. So, too, will the influential Michael Vaughan - for reasons of his omission from the tour. But Andrew Flintoff is thought to be content and has a better personal relationship with Moores than was the case with Duncan Fletcher, his predecessor.

Following Fletcher was always going to be a difficult challenge. The batsmen especially held him in the highest regard for his technical knowledge, loyalty and unobtrusive approach. Nobody described Fletcher as being “in-your-face”, as one player said of Moores. Fletcher had a core of favourites and Pietersen is one of those who still calls him for advice. The great sadness is that Moores did not have an apprenticeship under "the grey fox".

The ECB made a virtue of Moores being appointed within 24 hours of Fletcher's resignation during the 2007 World Cup. David Collier, the chief executive, described it as part of a “contingency and succession plan for all key management positions”. Effectively he confirmed that Moores was being groomed for the job with his appointment as National Academy director, ahead of Tom Moody, in 2005.

The board appeared desperate to elevate from within to bestow credibility on a modern coaching structure revamped, coincidentally, by Morris. Moores was the darling, among the first to attain the highest Level Four status. The qualification should not be belittled; nor should Moores's achievements at Sussex, where he guided them to the first County Championship in their history.

But the ECB simply ignored the rest of the field. How prescient the assessment of Mike Brearley that the ECB was appointing too quickly and promoting a highly promising coach too soon. That it was done during a significant review of structure, eventually published as the Schofield report, made the haste even more unwise.

The board can and must take time over the next appointment. Ashley Giles, the Warwickshire director of cricket and an England selector, is trusted by Pietersen and available to take temporary charge in the Caribbean, even if his inexperience counts against him as a full-time option. Andy Flower, brought in by Moores to work with the batsmen, could also step up for the four Tests and five one-day internationals.

Moores, for his part, is entitled to feel annoyed. If Pietersen feels that he was given too little support when India chased 387 to win in Madras last month, then should it really have needed a coach to tell players such as James Anderson and Stephen Harmison not to bowl short and wide to Virender Sehwag when he had been cutting them all the way through the previous one-day series?

The next man in? Who will be chosen to work alongside Kevin Pietersen

Graham Ford (48)

Short first-class career but vast coaching experience. He influenced the teenage Kevin Pietersen at junior level in Natal and respect is mutual. Lasted two years as South Africa coach after succeeding Bob Woolmer in 1999. Has since turned down jobs with Sri Lanka and India and was interviewed by New Zealand last year. The present Kent coach.

Tom Moody (43)

Achieved high stature during a successful playing career that included spells in England with Warwickshire and Worcestershire, where he became director of cricket. Member of the 1999 Australia World Cup-winning side and Sri Lanka coach when they reached the 2007 final. Left to return to coach his home state, Western Australia.

Mickey Arthur (40)

Thoughtful player identified early as coaching material. His stock is in the ascendancy having helped South Africa to series wins in England and Australia after a creditable draw in India. Has been linked with county posts in England but recently signed an extension to his South Africa contract taking him to 2011.

Ashley Giles (35)

Honest spin bowler who made 54 Test appearances and helped Warwickshire last year to win promotion to the first division of the County Championship in his first season as director of cricket. Complaints about a conflict of interest as a selector. Still lacks experience, but has an inside track to the England dressing-room.