Morris to step into captain-coach dispute

Hugh Morris has been entrusted with the responsibility of resolving ongoing difficulties between Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores, the captain and coach of England. Reports suggest that Morris, the managing director of England cricket, could effectively be forced to make a decision on the future of Moores over the weekend, possibly after a meeting with the pair.

Differences between the pair were given a public airing late on Wednesday with news that Pietersen had asked for an urgent meeting with Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman. The focal point of the latest disagreement is said to be over Michael Vaughan and the West Indies tour: Pietersen was keen to have Vaughan on the trip, but Moores wasn't.

That, however, may only be one facet of it; talk of the uneasy nature of the pair's relationship, since Moores took over 18 months ago but particularly since Pietersen's elevation to captaincy last year, has never been far.

Clarke, however, dampened notions of a rift, though he referred the matter to Morris. "All team matters are dealt with by Hugh Morris," said Clarke. "There will be a full review of the tour of India, which was a difficult tour in view of what happened before it. I don't believe all this stuff I'm reading about Michael Vaughan."

Despite Clarke's words, speculation continues to mount over the future of Moores. The Daily Telegraph, among others, says that Morris will meet the pair this weekend and make a decision soon after. It is speculated that Pietersen could deliver an ultimatum, or already has, ratcheting up the pressure on Morris.

In any case, the situation will not be an easy one for the former England and Glamorgan opening batsman. Moores is said to be one of Morris's closest friends in the game. They know each other from as far back as 1981, when both played for England Schools U-19. Moores is also a graduate of the coaching structure Morris worked to introduce when he retired from playing and moved into administration at the ECB.

This will be the second bout of firefighting Morris has had to resolve within the last month. He was the key man behind England's return to India, after the Mumbai attacks had forced them to return home. His role in that episode has been widely acknowledged.