As seen on the bible of online cricket, cricinfo…

“Contrary to media speculation today, I wish to make it very clear that I did not resign as captain of the England cricket team this morning.

However, in light of recent communications with the ECB, and the unfortunate media stories and speculation that have subsequently appeared, I now consider that it would be extremely difficult for me to continue in my current position with the England cricket team. Accordingly, I have as of this afternoon decided to stand down as England captain with immediate effect. Notwithstanding my resignation as England captain, I still fully intend to be a part of both England’s Test and One Day International squad to tour the West Indies next month and to do all I can to recapture the Ashes during the summer.

I wish to add that I have principles in my professional and personal life as to how things are done and during my time as England captain I have always been both helpful and direct in my communications with the ECB. At no time, contrary to press speculation, have I released any unauthorised information to the media regarding my relationships with the players, coaches and the ECB itself.

I am extremely sad and disappointed to have to relinquish the captaincy at such an early stage, especially in a crucial year for English cricket, in such circumstances and particularly when I feel that I have much more to offer the England team as captain. However, this decision will not affect my determination to continue playing international cricket for England, doing all I can to win matches for the team and supporting whoever captains the team in the future. “

A couple of words, Kevin old son. You could come mighty unstuck here because someone is leaking your unhappiness, and if you play on words with things like “unauthorised” or make mealy-mouthed assertions on what you do and don’t comment upon, and they bite you on the bum, you are going to look like all the other media manipulators in the world today. If you said it, then say it again.

That said, I’m glad he’s committing himself to the England team, and his sheer bloody mindedness, and immense talent, will shine through, of that I have no doubt. If he has got rid of Moores by his machinations, then he’s done the England cricket team a great service, in my opinion. Moores is the coaching epitome of Ian Bell the batsman – he might look good, have all the qualifications, and bestrides county cricket like a colossus, but at the international level it needs more than the text book, it needs nous. And I haven’t seen much evidence of that in my viewing of the team. Players like Panesar have regressed. Harmison is a joke. Bell is Bell. Collingwood scores runs when his place is under threat. Cook doesn’t score tons. The only big name batsman he dropped came back to score runs and look the part, especially on the sub-continent. Moores has done little in nearly two years to suggest he’s the man to take us forward. I wouldn’t want to lose the Ashes to confirm it.

I await how the ECB deal with this. It is going to be a train wreck, that I know. Giants like Giles Clarke, Geoff Miller and Hugh Morris to the rescue…..