Key blasts ECB over feud

The original story, that Pietersen had called for Moores' departure, was leaked to the media on New Years Day before both men left their posts six days later.

"It looks to me as if Pietersen had the support of the players and it's very strange how these leaks have come out," Key told Sky Sports News. "These things are supposed to be done behind closed doors and they just slowly filtered out."

He added: "The one thing I will be most critical of is that I was reading 'a source from the ECB said this' or 'a source from the ECB said that'.

"Why didn't someone from the ECB come out at some stage and make a statement early on rather than wait until Tuesday afternoon when all the speculation was rife?

"The whole thing just seems to have been a shambles from a media point of view. The way that the public face of it has been is very poor."

In light of Moores' sacking, England's assistant coach Andy Flower will take charge of the side until the end of their tour of the West Indies, which begins in nine days.

Key, however, believes that South African Graham Ford, who is director of cricket at Kent, is the "perfect man" to replace Moores in the long term.

"At Kent he has been fantastic," Key said. "I've never really heard anyone say a bad word about the bloke.

"To work with a bunch of talented cricketers like the England team have at the minute, Graham Ford would be the perfect man for that. He has a way of getting the best out of everyone."