AFP, Malahide :
England players rallied to the support of Peter Moores on Friday as reports emerged that the under-fire coach is on the verge of being sacked for the second time.
James Taylor, who skippered England in Friday’s washed-out one-day international against Ireland in Malahide, and Mark Wood, one of five debutants in the team, were not in a position to confirm Moores’ fate.
But just days before Andrew Strauss is expected to be appointed as the new director of cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) they certainly gave him a ringing recommendation.
“He is really positive, keeps it simple and although I’ve limited experience of him in the England camp, he has always been helpful and positive and that’s all I could ask of him,” said Taylor.
“Today he has been brilliant as always, good around the dressing room and the guys are firmly behind him.”
Wood added: “He gave me my chance in the West Indies so I’m thankful for that. He’s been brilliant with me and has always been positive.”
If Strauss does take over and Moores is removed from his post, it will mean the coach’s second spell in charge will have lasted barely a year since he was brought back in 2014 following England’s 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia, which led Andy Flower to step down as coach.
Moores’s second spell — he was initially dismissed in 2009 after a falling out with then captain Kevin Pietersen — has so far yielded just one series win, at home to India last year, and included England’s embarrassing exit from the World Cup, where they failed to beat a single Test nation, and a disappointing 1-1 series draw in the West Indies.
Friday’s one-off game was abandoned after just 18 overs due to torrential rain.
But Durham seamer Wood thanked Taylor for giving him the new ball in helpful, overcast conditions and although he admitted he “didn’t bowl that great” he took the wicket of Ireland captain William Porterfield in his fourth over.
Zafar Ansari did not get a chance to make an impression but David Willey also took a wicket on debut, to a catch by Jason Roy.
Fellow slip fielder and new boy James Vince held the catch to dismiss Niall O’Brien as Ireland reached 56 for four when the rain arrived.
Quite how many will be involved in England’s next ODI, against New Zealand when the Test match squad will also be available is unknown, but Wood insists he will be ready for the call.
