LONDON (CMC):

England will be under new leadership when they visit the Caribbean later this month.

Kevin Pietersen has stepped down as captain with immediate effect and Peter Moores has also been dismissed as coach.

Left-handed opener Andrew Strauss has been named captain for the tour of West Indies later this month and the England and Wales Cricket Board will embark on an immediate search for a new coach.

Hugh Morris, managing director England cricket, confirmed the details of the upheaval at a news conference late yesterday at The Oval.

Morris noted that the ECB accepted, with regret, the resignation of Pietersen as England captain.

He said that Pietersen recognised that in the present situation, it was impossible to restore the dressing room unity, which was vital, if England are to win on the forthcoming tour to the Caribbean, the ICC World Twenty20 which they host, or regain the Ashes from Australia.

"Kevin is highly valued as a senior and experienced player and we are delighted that he has indicated he wishes to continue to represent England in all their forthcoming international fixtures, starting in the Caribbean later this month," he said.

He added: "I have an extremely high respect and regard for Kevin, but this has become an impossible situation given the irretrievable breakdown of the relationship between captain and coach."

Respect

Morris also indicated that the ECB had deter-mined that Moores should relinquish his role as England team director.

"I have the greatest respect for the dignity which Peter has shown in recent days when he has found himself under extreme pressure," Morris said.

"The ECB wish him well in his future roles. I would also like to thank him for his contribution as England team director and his work as National Academy director."