Downton backs Moores as England head coach ahead of talks

Paul Downton: Giving support to Peter Moores

England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Paul Downton has told Sky Sports that he is backing Peter Moores as head coach following England's World Cup exit.

Moores' position has been the subject of speculation since the 15-run defeat to Bangladesh in Adelaide on Monday - England's fourth loss from five Pool A matches.
But Downton said: "I have every faith in Peter Moores. Part of the reason for appointing Peter was he is a very experienced coach.

"Whoever took this job was going to have a really difficult job."

Downton is poised to hold talks with Moores this week, and has been a strong advocate of his since appointing him as England coach for the second time in April last year - at which time he declared him "the leading English coach of his generation".

Moores was tasked with reviving the national team in all formats in the wake of the 5-0 Ashes whitewash and World Twenty20 failure, but so far England's results have largely disappointed under him.

England have yet to win a one-day series under Moores, losing 18 of their 27 ODIs, and suffered a first Test series defeat at home to Sri Lanka.
A Test series win against India followed, and young players have shown some signs of blossoming as Moores has sought to replace the likes of Jonathan Trott, Graeme Swann and Kevin Pietersen.

We're very early into an appointment. Much as we'd like to change things instantly, it takes time

Paul Downton

Downton believes that Moores has not yet had nearly enough time to exert his full philosophy on to the England set-up.
"We're very early into an appointment," he said. "Much as we'd like to change things instantly, it takes time.
"We had a very successful team between 2009 and 2013. We have to rebuild again.
"There are no shortcuts. We have to back our players, invest in them and in time we will be back there again."