New appointment soon

ECB chairman David Morgan

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ECB chairman David Morgan has confirmed that a caretaker England coach will be put in place within 48 hours.

Speaking at a press conference at the England team's Barbados base on Thursday afternoon, Morgan confirmed the news released by ECB moments before that Duncan Fletcher had resigned from the position, and that moves were under way to appoint his successor.

"I would hope that in a very short time, in 48 hours, that we would have appointed someone as a caretaker coach," he said.

"It is possible that rather than a caretaker coach we may appoint someone as Duncan's permanent successor. I would prefer not to go into the details of people who may or may not be candidates."

John Carr, director of England cricket, revealed that Fletcher had indicated his desire to resign as coach before England's Super Eights match with Bangladesh: "I met with Duncan on April 10, the day before the Bangladesh game, and he indicated to me at that stage that it was his intention to hand in his notice to ECB at the end of the tournament.

"We agreed that when the chairman of the Board arrived there would be a meeting where the situation would be firmed up and resolved."

Morgan, who arrived in Barbados as England went out of the tournament with defeat against South Africa, added: "I would like to apologise for the manner of our exit from the Cricket World Cup. We have been singularly unsuccessful in another Cricket World Cup and I apologise for that.

"We did have a meeting of the Board of the ECB by tele-conference to appraise the members of the Board of the fact that Mr Fletcher had decided to stand down."

He also paid tribute to Fletcher's achievements during his eight-year stint as England coach: "He's achieved a great deal. Our performances in the Test match arena have been transformed in the eight years he's been with us.

"I believe Duncan has done a tremendous job for us."

"The board had not approached anyone prior to finalising something with Duncan Fletcher," he stressed.

"Duncan hasn't left us in the lurch - he had indicated that if necessary he would serve his 12 months notice period as head coach, or in some other position within the ECB.

"We decided, against the background of his exceptional contribution, we should allow him to leave after our completion in this World Cup.

"Duncan is sad this is the end of a chapter but the discussions between us could not have been more amicable."

Morgan reaffirmed Michael Vaughan would lead England against the West Indies not only this weekend but on returning home at the start of the international season in England: "Michael Vaughan is the England captain. I talked with the chairman of selectors (David Graveney) this morning and they'd wish him to lead the side into the West Indies Test series."