Key fury at ECB over 'shambolic' handling of KP

Robert Key today criticised England cricket chiefs for the "shambles" that led to Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores being axed

Pietersen was forced to quit as England captain over his row with Moores, who was sacked as coach.

The original story, that Pietersen had called for Moores' departure, was leaked to the media on New Year's Day before both men left their posts six days later. Key, who has 15 England Test caps, criticised English cricket's governing body for what he sees as their lack of communication during those six days.

"It looks to me as if Pietersen had the support of the players and it's very strange how these leaks have come out," said Kent captain Key.

"These things are supposed to be done behind closed doors and they just slowly filtered out.

"The one thing I will be most critical of is that I was reading 'a source from the ECB said this' or 'a source from the ECB said that'.

"Why didn't someone from the ECB come out at some stage and make a statement early on rather than wait until Tuesday afternoon when all the speculation was rife?

"The whole thing just seems to have been a shambles from a media point of view. The way that the public face of it has been is very poor."

The ECB today refused to comment on the matter. England assistant coach Andy Flower will take charge of the side for their tour of the West Indies, which begins in nine days.

Key believes Graham Ford, director of cricket at Kent, is the "perfect man" to replace Moores in the long term. He said: "Graham has a way of getting the best out of everyone."