England rebel KP given out

Perhaps Kevin Pietersen was never going to get on with the cricketing establishment.

With a line in outlandish haircuts, diamond-earrings and tattoos, the "David Beckham" of English cricket - he even has a pop star wife - was always likely to have a troubled relationship with the blue blazer brigade at Lords.

And so it proved today with reports that he had been axed as England's captain after just five months in charge.

Typically for Pietersen, who was born in South Africa but chose England for his international career, it has been a bumpy but exhilarating ride.

The 28-year-old had fallen out in spectacular and public fashion with England's coach Peter Moores after becoming embroiled in a bitter dispute over team selection and tactics. Reports suggest Moores has also left his job after just 18 months.

The England and Wales Cricket Board refused to confirm the departures which followed a crisis meeting at Lord's last night, although a press conference or statement was expected later today.

Pietersen, believed to be on holiday in South Africa, told Sky News via phone: "I am not in a fit state to talk."

Their departures will leave the English game in crisis just months ahead of an Ashes series against Australia.

While cricketing reasons will be given, there will be a nagging feeling that Pietersen, perhaps the most flamboyant cricketer of his era, was less than impressed with Moores, a grey-haired, uncharismatic former wicket-keeper who never played at Test level.

Pietersen, one of the few cricketers to earn millions, rose to prominence in the last Ashes series played on home soil in 2005. In the final innings of the final test, he turned a potential disaster into a fairytale by scoring 158 to win England the sport's most famous trophy for the first time in almost 20 years.

His swagger on the pitch was matched by an extravagant lifestyle off it.

Following the Ashes win, Pietersen - known to his friends as KP and branded "the Ego" by his enemies who are usually Australian or South African - appeared unstoppable. He seemed to have everything besides God-given, prodigious talent. He bought an apartment in Chelsea and dated women such as the supermodel Caprice and the TV presenter and royal confidante, Natalie Pinkham.

In 2007 he married Jessica Taylor, a singer with pop group Liberty X, with Darren Gough, the former England cricketer and winner of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, as best man.

To the cricketing establishment, he seemed to have settled down when appointed captain last August. Out went the colourful hairdos, in came the crewcut.

Pietersen did not exactly shine in his new role, however. Having won his first test in charge against South Africa and thrashed his country of birth in one day internationals, he has pretty much lost every game.

England were humiliated in the West Indies in a winner-takes-all $20million, 20-overs match.

After the most recent series in India was interrupted by the Mumbai bombings, Pietersen earned plaudits by leading the team back to the subcontinent but there was also controversy over his inability to rein in his colourful language when calling an Indian bowler a "pie-chucker" and "left-arm filth".

Moores's record as coach wasn't much better. He has lost four of seven series since taking charge.

Today's departures will severely embarrass England. The former England all-rounder Dominic Cork said today: "This should have been sorted in-house... again we're allowing English cricket to become a laughing stock."

The race will now be on to find both a new captain and coach in time for the Australians as well as an upcoming series against the West Indies.

Andrew Strauss, the opening batsman, will be a favourite as captain while the new coach is expected to be the Zimbabwean Andy Flower, currently England's batting coach.

Pietersen is likely to continue playing for England - he is after all his adopted country's best batsman by far. But should he give up the Test game, fear not. It can't be long before we see him on Strictly Come Dancing too.