LONDON, Jan 2: England’s build-up to their tour of the West Indies, as well as their campaign to reclaim the Ashes, was clouded in controversy on Thursday when skipper Kevin Pietersen and coach Peter Moores were reported to have fallen out.

The Daily Telegraph said that Hugh Morris, the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), will hold urgent talks with the two men this weekend to find a solution to the power struggle.

“The outcome of those talks could decide the futures of the two most influential figures in the England dressing room and Morris may face the dilemma of having to dismiss Moores, a figure he grew up with playing cricket for England schools,” reported the newspaper.

Earlier, it was claimed that the pair clashed over the decision not to recall former skipper Michael Vaughan for the forthcoming tour of the West Indies.

Pietersen is thought to have wanted Vaughan alongside him in the Caribbean but selectors opted to keep faith with Ian Bell and Owais Shah. An ECB spokesman said: “We don’t comment on speculation.”

Moores took over from Duncan Fletcher following the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.—AFP