England captain Kevin Pietersen is currently at odds with coach Peter Moores. - file

london (ap)

Three former England captains believe that Kevin Pietersen will win his power battle with coach Peter Moores.

The current captain is reportedly angry with Moores that the squad for an upcoming tour of the West Indies did not include Michael Vaughan, another former captain who was dropped last year because of poor batting form.

Although the England and Wales Cricket Board has declined to comment on the conflict between the two most powerful men involved with the team, there is speculation that, unless England cricket managing director Hugh Morris can heal the rift, then Moores will have to go.

Bit of a mess

"It's a bit of a mess but I've got a feeling Kevin Pietersen will get his way," David Gower, who led England 32 times between 1982 and '89 said yesterday. "Hugh Morris has an interesting task on his hands to mediate between the two, if he can. If he can't, then he's not got much time to start the process of working out who is going to coach England."

After the Caribbean tour starting later this month, England faces the West Indies again at home and then will focus on trying to regain the Ashes from Australia later in the year. The team comes off two lost series against South Africa and India and can't afford instability at the helm.

Keep it in check

Alec Stewart, who captained 15 times between 1992 and 98, said that, even if Pietersen and Moores had disagreements, they should not allow them to become public.

"It is vital that a healthy working relationship between these two is in place, even if socially they don't mix," the former captain and wicketkeeper told the Sunday Mirror.

"Pietersen is a strong individual who likes to lead from the front and I have no problem with this. Moores must strike a happy medium as to who runs things where and when."

Nasser Hussain, England captain for 45 tests between 1999-2003, said that Moores, who succeeded Duncan Fletcher after England's poor performance at the 2007 World Cup, should be given more time to prove himself. If it came to a choice between the two, however, then Pietersen would win.

"If you're asking me who's more important, Kevin Pietersen or Peter Moores, there's one winner and that's Kevin Pietersen and that's what he knows and that's why he's flexing his muscles," Hussain said.