Exit in tears - Fletcher walks away as Moores is called up

Fletcher told officials before last week's clash with Bangladesh of his decision to resign. He was in tears yesterday as he told his players at a training session that tomorrow's dead game against the West Indies would be his last in charge.

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Distraught: Fletcher is consoled by Plunkett (left) and Nixon yesterday

And the Lord's hierarchy were believed to be so keen for him to go that they rejected a plan for him to stay on for next month's Test series against the West Indies while a successor could be found.

Loughborough Academy director and former Sussex coach Peter Moores will take over as caretaker and is expected to be given job on a full-time basis before the first Test on May 17.

Fletcher's old ally from his Glamorgan days, England and Wales Cricket Board chairman David Morgan, proposed to fellow main board members on Wednesday that the 58-year-old Zimbabwean be kept on until the four-Test West Indies series ends in mid-June.

That idea was vociferously voted down during a conference call, as was the proposal that another Glamorgan man, England assistant coach Matthew Maynard, be put in charge as caretaker.

Instead, it was agreed that Fletcher be released as soon as possible with a £300,000 severance package, equivalent to a year's salary.

Moores, who is on holiday, is expected to be promoted from his position of ECB Academy Director once a new England team management structure has been established.

That can only be done when former golf administrator Ken Schofield's report into the state of English cricket is completed.

Schofield may suggest a new position be created to oversee all England selection and administration matters, leaving Moores to concentrate on coaching while having a say in picking the team.

After seven-and-a-half years in charge, Fletcher was consoled by staff and players when he announced his imminent departure.

His exact reasons for going were not made clear, but he said: "I feel it is in the team's best interests that I should move on and seek a new challenge.

"This has been a difficult winter for the team and for me personally, but I believe that my record as coach is one in which I can take pride."