Brearley Unimpressed

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Moores - new England coach.

The appointment of Peter Moores as England coach "smacks of favouritism", according to Ashes-winning captain Mike Brearley.

Moores' promotion from National Academy director was announced less than 24 hours after Duncan Fletcher's decision to stand down and Brearley fears the former Sussex coach's lack of top-level international experience could prove fatal.

"I question the manner and timing of his selection as England head coach," said Brearley, who led England to glory in the legendary 1981 Ashes series.

"First, he has had no international experience. Installing him permanently in the job at this stage risks putting him in too difficult a position; if things go wrong over the next year, the future of an excellent person might be compromised.

"He should either have been selected as provisional coach or allowed to get experience with the England squad under someone else.

"My second reason for feelings of misgiving is that there can have been no proper search.

"However good Moores is, there was no time to advertise the job. His selection smacks of favouritism. It is not right for such an important job to be handed out without a proper competition.

Brearley added in the Observer: "Before we chose a permanent coach, we should have had more rigorous discussion and careful thought about what this new coach's role will be, and in what sort of a set-up."