Eurosport - Fri, 09 Jan 11:55:00 2009
The Australian press have reacted with glee to the latest turmoil in English cricket - just six months ahead of this summer's Ashes series.
With the first Test between the arch-rivals due to get under way in Cardiff on July 8, Australians awoke to find Kevin Pietersen had indeed quit as England captain - as had been widely reported on Wednesday - and Peter Moores sacked as coach.
The Canberra Times took great comfort from the upheaval following Australia's 2-1 series defeat to South Africa.
"If Australian cricket fans thought Ricky Ponting and his men had pre-Ashes problems, they needed only to watch England's leadership saga descend into farce on Wednesday to feel things may be looking up," said the paper.
"Finally with something to smile about after their team's 103-run victory over South Africa in the third Test in Sydney, Australians could be forgiven for laughing out loud as their traditional foes shot themselves in the foot."
The Melbourne Herald Sun spoke of the 28-year-old's "sensational" decision to call it a day after just over five months in the role, labelling his feud with Moores "the most vicious for some time".
"England's Ashes hopes have been thrown into turmoil after Kevin Pietersen sensationally quit as their captain,' wrote The Sun.
"His decision followed a major falling-out with coach Peter Moores.
"English cricket has seen some bloody civil wars but the feud between bull-headed Pietersen and the industrious, unpretentious coach Peter Moores, has been the most vicious for some time."
Before the Ashes, England have a tour to the Caribbean to contend with. Andrew Strauss has been named as skipper, with the new coaching set-up to be announced as soon as possible.
ABC Online described the dispute between former coach and captain as being "one of the most bitter in the game".
The Sydney Morning Herald, whose headline on Wednesday read 'Chaos reigns, Poms in a mess', ran another piece with Graham Gooch supposedly laying the "blame" for the crisis on Australia spin legend Shane Warne for having "influenced (Pietersen) a little bit at Hampshire".
"Far and wide the English have searched for excuses, and now they've laid the blame for the country's coaching crisis at Shane Warne's door,' the paper said before the news was confirmed.
"Pietersen and Moores are barely on speaking terms and it is clear the skipper detests his coach's methodical approach."
The Age took a line from South Africa captain Graeme Smith, claiming England have the edge for the Ashes.
Speaking after the Proteas' defeat in the third Test - before the England situation was clarified - Smith could not resist departing Australia with one last dig.
He said: "There are deep divisions in the England camp at the moment with Kevin Pietersen resigning as captain following his fall-out with coach Peter Moores.
"(But) I guess probably England playing at home probably gives them an advantage I would think."
Comment 1 - 15 of 15
Come on ya big dumb Anglophiles, take it like adults and not a bunch o screaming kiddies - what would the Sun and the Sport be doing if the situation was reversed?
And it is such an English farce it warrants nothing but laughter.
Yet we'll still bash the Aussies hehe.......
the austrillians are bad winners and losers but we are niether england is a small country making a huge dent in the world
I notice that many of the Australian comments here are all about winning and being winners. What, have you become Americans of late? When that Great Scorer in the sky calls your name, He will not ask whether you won or lost, but did you play the game?
I notice that many of the Australian comments here are all about winning and being winners. What, have you become Americans of late? When that Great Scorer in the sky calls your name, He will not ask whether you won or lost, but did you play the game?
I notice that many of the Australian comments here are all about winning and being winners. What, have you become Americans of late? When that Great Scorer in the sky calls your name, He will not ask whether you won or lost, but did you play the game?
Of course we're sore about losing, that comes with being winners, having said that, all credit to SA, this time you played the best cricket, it's a pity the poms do not 'get sore' occasionally, that way they might win something that's worthwhile, Ned Kelly
Given the current pathetic state of affairs of Australian Cricket, this is one major way of rejoicing. Of course, at present, English cricket is nothing to write home about.
England always win when they have been written off, WWII, the Ashes.... chortle chortle.... agree with comment 8.
I think a big issue to come out of all of this, is where has the spirit of cricket gone?
Mr T says: I got Nothin but pity for those crazy Australian fools!
Watch it Aussies this might have a sting in the tale for you,those who laughs last,laugh the longest.
guys, like they say, 'dont believe everything you read'. We, aussies, have enough of our own problems for it to be as big as this article claims. Bloody journalists making a mountain out of a molehill.
You are telling me the English press wouldn't put the boot in to the Australians?
Cricket is a gentleman's game and I don't think this reaction in the Australian press is appropriate. Reacting with glee at somebody else's discomfort is definitely not gentleman's behaviour. Or, should we say -- what else can you expect from a "criminal race"?
Sanjay D
KP is supremely talented, that much is obvious, while Moore is a second tier nobody. That Australians would react so quickly to the news is beyond pathetic.
That just shows how pathetic the Australian press is. The stupidity is amazing. The logic works on the basis of our foe is weakened and so we have an advantage, where is the glory in that? I guess they are still a bit sore after SA took the series.
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