Cricket: Duncan Fletcher has tendered his resignation as England coach following their disappointing World Cup campaign. He will take charge of the team for the last time in Saturday's Super Eight match against West Indies in Barbados.
Just 48 hours after England's abject nine-defeat to South Africa, which sealed their exit from the tournament, the England and Wales Cricket Board officially announced Fletcher's departure at a press conference at their Barbados Hotel.
The 58-year-old Zimbabwean, who took over his post from David Lloyd in 1999, will oversee England's final World Cup match against West Indies on Saturday before ending his tenure, but under the terms of his rolling contract will be given a year's salary as a pay-off in the region of £350,000.
ECB chief executive David Collier said: "ECB would like to formally put on record our grateful thanks to Duncan Fletcher for his outstanding service to cricket throughout England and Wales.
"He can be justifiably proud of a record which includes an Ashes series victory over Australia, a record eight successive Test wins and Test series wins abroad in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and South Africa as well as the Commonwealth Bank series success in Australia. England's rise to number two in the LG ICC Test Championship is in no small measure due to his rigorous planning and excellent coaching skills.
"Away from the international arena, Duncan was instrumental in persuading the ECB and the First Class Counties to introduce central contracts and his contribution provides an excellent legacy for his successor. He leaves with our best wishes and genuine appreciation from ECB for his achievements."
Fletcher, who has also paid the price for losing 5-0 in the Ashes over the winter, said: "I always said that I would review my position as England coach nearer to the end of this winter.
"Earlier in the World Cup I came to a decision about my future and I discussed stepping down as head coach with the ECB prior to England's game against Bangladesh. I feel it is in the team's best interests over the long term that I should move on and seek a new challenge elsewhere.
"This has been a difficult winter for the team and for me personally, but I believe that my record as coach over the past eight years is one in which I can take great pride. I would like to thank all the players and the management team for their contributions, the ECB for its support and for giving me the opportunity to coach England; and the England fans for their ongoing support."
Academy director Peter Moores has been tipped to take temporary charge for the forthcoming Test series against West Indies, which starts at Lord's on May 17th.
Moores, who has aided in the development of young England players like Monty Panesar and Alastair Cook during his time at the Academy, will stay in charge until England make a decision about their future coach.
He is in the running for the permanent position but faces strong opposition from former Australian player Tom Moody, who has impressed during his spell in charge of Sri Lanka.
Moody is also on the shortlist for the coaching job at Western Australia, but with an English wife Helen and a family home in Worcestershire he is throught to prefer the England job.