Little more than 24 hours after agreeing the terms of Duncan Fletcher’s departure, the ECB has named Peter Moores as the new England head coach. An official presentation will take place on Wednesday, when Moores returns from a holiday in The Gambia. Like Fletcher, he will be a staff member rather than contracted figure and will also be a selector.

While praising Fletcher for his work over the past eight years, Michael Vaughan, the captain, said that the time had come for a change at the helm after the worst winter on record for results overall. For his own part, Fletcher is keeping thoughts about World Cup elimination and his resignation out of the public domain.

David Morgan, the ECB chairman, had hinted on Thursday that a caretaker coach might take England into the Test series against West Indies starting on May 17. It was clear, however, that Moores, 44, the academy director, had emerged as the favourite. Given the preference and his availability, a swift announcement was best for everyone.

He will start work on May 1 and David Collier, the ECB chief executive, said that preparing a new strategy for one-day cricket to match the improvements at Test level made since 1999 under Fletcher will be among his priorities. Collier described Moores as “an innovative and inspiring coach . . . an ideal person for the appointment”.

Vaughan has sketchy memories of playing against Moores, a wicketkeeper-batsman with Sussex, but he was impressed with the attitude and approach of the new coach before Christmas, when Vaughan spent about a month with the academy squad based in Perth, Western Australia, in the build-up to his return from long-term knee trouble. The pair are expected to speak next week.

Fletcher did not tell Vaughan of his intention to step down until Wednesday, during a 2½hour chat. “It was a tough conversation,” Vaughan said. “I knew I was losing a coach who has had a massive influence on my career and I felt very strongly that he has done such a good job.

“Duncan has brought a tremendous amount to the team and all the players still hold him in very, very high regard. Good things have to come to an end eventually and I think it is the right time for a change, I think we all know that. It is time to give Peter Moores a good go at the job and hope he has as much success, if not more.

“Eight years as a coach at international level is a long time. You are talking four Ashes series and two World Cups and I think Duncan needs a fresh challenge and a fresh start. He is the best coach I have worked with and many people around the world will also say he is among the best.

“When he came in from a South African background, people thought you needed to be an Englishman to do the job. I have not known anyone care more about the England cricket team than Duncan. He is not leaving in great circumstances because of this winter, but he can be proud of what he has done for English cricket.”

Vaughan said that Fletcher has tried to be as innovative as ever over the past year but added: “Sometimes a change of voice can be what the team needs.” He denied that he was the England captain referred to by Geoffrey Boycott yesterday who sought advice but insisted that it remained “off the radar” in fear of an angry reaction from Fletcher.

From their brief acquaintance, Vaughan sees similarities between Moores and Fletcher in their forward thinking.

“Peter did impress me,” Vaughan said. “He has a nice manner and a huge enthusiasm for the game. I like the way he thinks about cricket.

“We do need to sit down and get a strategy to take us forward. We have not played well in one-day cricket and we have lost our last five Test matches, so we have to get our game back in order and think of the best people we need to be selected, who have the character required at that level.”

Because of his background in county cricket, Moores will a more sensitive ear to the grievances of the domestic game on issues such as central contracts, but with an ethos laid down by Fletcher and another heavy international summer, there is no guarantee of more frequent appearances.

Vaughan said: “The majority of these lads have been away for six months. We could go back, have five days off and we might be fresh for May 17 — then come June or July we could have more injuries.

“Yes, it would look good if we played in the championship next Wednesday, but you have to think of the after-effects.”