Former captain Andrew Strauss is expected to be appointed as the new director of England cricket.

Strauss has this week emerged as the favourite to fill a role created by ECB chief executive Tom Harrison in the aftermath of England's disastrous World Cup campaign.

The 38-year-old withdrew from his Sky Sports commentary duties for England's abandoned one-day international with Ireland on Friday to have further discussions over taking the position, the broadcaster revealed.

His impending appointment could spell bad news for Peter Moores. Strauss, who skippered England to back-to-back Ashes series wins and averaged 40.91 with the bat in 100 Test matches, will reportedly sack the under-fire coach.

Other former captains Michael Vaughan and Alec Stewart were previously thought to be in the running.