Moores named England coach

ECB unveil new appointment

Peter Moores has been recalled as England cricket coach five years after being dramatically axed from the job.
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced the appointment at a media conference with Moores, managing director Paul Downton and England captain Alastair Cook at Lord's on Saturday morning London time.
England have been without a head coach since Andy Flower stepped down as team director in January following the 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia.
Limited overs coach Ashley Giles, the former England spinner, appeared to be in pole position to replace Flower but his cause was not helped by the team's embarrassing loss to minnows the Netherlands at the recent World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.
Moores, now at Lancashire, Nottinghamshire's Mick Newell and Sussex's Mark Robinson, all of whom have overseen County Championship success, are understood to have been interviewed during the past week as has Australian Trevor Bayliss; the former Sri Lanka coach.
In a two-year spell from 2007 to 2009, former Sussex wicketkeeper Moores led England in seven Test series, starting with a 3-0 win over West Indies, after replacing Duncan Fletcher.
He was forced out in 2009 following a rift with Kevin Pietersen that cost the star batsman the England captaincy, although other players were said to be unhappy with Moores' management style.
Moores won't have to deal with Pietersen this time around after the ECB sensationally terminated the international career of their all-time leading run-scorer following the Ashes debacle -- a decision they've still to fully explain.
Shortly after his England exit, Moores joined Lancashire in February 2009, having previously guided Sussex to the County Championship title in 2003.
Lancashire had not won the championship outright since 1934 but their long wait ended in 2011.
They were though relegated the following season but returned to the First Division in 2013.
England's next match, a one-day international against Scotland in Aberdeen on May 9, is less than a month away.

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William and Kate visit host city ahead of World Cup

William and Kate visit host city ahead of World Cup

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge showed off their cricket skills today as the royal pair attended an ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 event in Christchurch.

With his wife on strike, Prince William rolled the arm over, offering up a couple of friendly full-tosses to help get the Princess off the mark. When tasked with a young kiwi batsman, the Duke found his line and length, forcing a sturdy forward defence from the junior.



Word of Australia’s intimidatory bowling during the Ashes must have drifted across the Tasman, as the Prince was greeted with head-high full tosses when he took over at the crease.

Unlike his countrymen, Prince William calmly negotiated the threatening deliveries before sending a few over the bowler’s head.

Christchurch’s Hagley Oval will host the opening ceremony and three pool matches, including the first match between hosts New Zealand and 2011 runners-up Sri Lanka.



World Cup ambassador and Blackcaps legend Richard Hadlee said the occasion wasn’t lost on those who met the famous couple.

“It’s a very special occasion for those who attended, especially the youngsters who had the opportunity to meet royalty, and for even us old fellas too,” said New Zealand’s greatest cricketer.

“It’s absolutely wonderful and I think it shows that the royals really care in showing a lot of interest in the activities and what we’re doing here in Christchurch.”

William and Kate will be at the Australian event on Wednesday in Sydney.

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