England's former captain Kevin Pietersen. - ap

london (ap)

England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen resigned yesterday and coach Peter Moores was fired following a power struggle that threatened to derail the team's efforts to regain the Ashes this year.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said it reluctantly accepted Pietersen's decision to quit in an effort to maintain unity in the dressing room. The star South Africa-born batsman insisted he only resigned after his position was made untenable by speculation over his future.

Strauss takes over

The ECB announced at a news conference that Andrew Strauss will captain England on a test and one-day series in the West Indies that starts January 21. A coach has yet to be announced.

British papers and television have reported for the past two weeks that Pietersen was unhappy with Moores' coaching and selection decisions. Pietersen openly vented his frustrations in a weekend newspaper column.

"I have an extremely high respect and regard for Kevin Pietersen but this has become an impossible situation given the irretrievable breakdown of the relationship between captain and coach," England Cricket managing director Hugh Morris said in a statement.

Pietersen, who had been in the role for just five months, confirmed his departure in a statement but denied reports that had run all Wednesday in the British media that he quit early in the day.

"I wish to make it very clear I did not resign as captain of the England cricket team this morning," Pietersen said. "However, in the light of recent communications of the ECB and the unfortunate media stories and speculation that subsequently appeared, I now consider that 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."

Dispelled suggestions

But he dispelled suggestions that he could refuse to sign an ECB central contract and walk out on the team in favour of a lucrative appearance in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

The West Indies also visits England this year before the five-test Ashes series against Australia, the biennial highlight of the cricket calendar for both sides.

Pietersen was reported to have refused to lead England in the Caribbean unless the ECB acted over his unhappiness with Moores.