Paul Downton sacked: What now for Kevin Pietersen, Michael Vaughan, James Whitaker and Peter Moores?

Paul Downton's turbulent reign as managing director of England cricket came to an end on 8 April. The only surprising factor to take from his dismissal was that it was this long coming for fans that have seen the national team stumble from one disaster to another under his tenure.

With his exit confirmed, what other changes will follow as the English cricket undergoes another restructuring?

Kevin Pietersen

While Downton's departure does not provide a guarantee of Kevin Pietersen's return to the England fold, it certainly widens the door for him. The former captain was not "even on England's radar" according to the former managing director as recently as February, but his removal – combined with Pietersen's own return to county cricket - will heighten talk of an imminent recall.

The decision to sack Pietersen in February 2014 cast a shadow over Downton's position from day one and while he was not the sole man responsible for it, he certainly played a central figure. You sense the whole debacle could soon come full circle.

Michael Vaughan

One of the most prominent observers of the deep-rooted problems running through the English game has been Vaughan and it comes as little surprise to see his name swiftly linked with the newly formed role of director of England cricket.

In an interview with Sky Sports, the former skipper welcomed the interest and said he would be happy to take a call from the ECB. His name is expected to be discussed during the ECB board meeting on 9 April.

James Whitaker

Downton's news neatly coincided with the damming verdict of Wisden editor Lawrence Booth who feared the leaders of English cricket "repeatedly lost touch" in 2014, adding: "The power brokers indulged in mutual backslapping... It was a nexus of self-preservation."

The self-preservation expired days later with Downton's departure and national selector James Whitaker could also be the next victim of chief executive Tom Harrison's management restructure. The Daily Telegraph reports he will be next to follow as the post-mortem continues at Lords on 9 April.

Peter Moores

While Whitaker's fate may also be sealed, Peter Moores may well survive the cull. With Downton gone, the spotlight win inevitably shift to the head coach who presided over that woeful showing in Australia and New Zealand in February and March, where the performances were just as hapless as his post-tournament reaction.

The Telegraph predicts Moores will be spared mainly due to the support of his players. England's three match Test series against the West Indies – which gets under way in Antigua on 13 April – is a must-win in any respect, but perhaps for no one more than Moores himself.