 Pietersen (left) and Moores both left their jobs on Wednesday
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The resignation of England skipper Kevin Pietersen and the dismissal of coach Peter Moores has led to a mixed reaction in Australia.
The tumultuous events this week come just six months before England take on the Aussies in this summer's Ashes.
"It has come as quite a surprise with our cricket supposedly in decline," former Australian bowler Geoff Lawson told the BBC.
"When you hear the news do you fall over laughing or are you dumbfounded?"
The spectacle of such a dispute spilling into the public arena - and causing such high-profile damage - could not have come at a worse time for England.
In two weeks they go on tour to the West Indies, followed by a home series against the same team as preparation for the Ashes.
Australia have just suffered their first home Test series defeat in 16 years, against South Africa, and with the team going through a period of major transition, many people were talking up England's chances in the summer.
"All the talk in the press box during the (South Africa) Test was that Pietersen would get his way - he was the captain, he was taking the team in a good direction, as was a strong, leader so Moores would obviously go," said Lawson.
"So to resign as captain and lose the coach doesn't seem a logical conclusion."
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Lawson, a former Pakistan coach, said the choices that England made now would have a big impact on events later in the summer, but he backed the appointment of Andrew Strauss as captain for the West Indies trip.
"I think he's probably a good leader and a good captain and he'll have a fine opportunity against a modest West Indies side to get things back on track before the Twenty20 World Cup and then the Ashes," he added.
"Coaches can have a short tenure - you can either have a great effect on the team or modest effect.
"England have a yawning question - do they go for quick appointment or do they take their time?"
While Lawson has yet to make up his mind on how the furore will affect England's chances, former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy said it was bad news for Australia.
"Every player in English ranks will get their act together quickly," he said.
"I think the West Indies might see a bit of benefit out of it, but not Australia - I think it'll be a good thing if everyone gets their job right build some sort of team culture and get ready for Australia."
The Australian press have reacted with glee to the news with the Canberra Times taking comfort from the upheaval following Australia's series defeat to South Africa.
"If Australian cricket fans thought Ricky Ponting and his men had pre-Ashes problems, they needed only to watch England's leadership saga descend into farce on Wednesday to feel things may be looking up," said the paper.
"Finally with something to smile about after their team's 103-run victory over South Africa in the third Test in Sydney, Australians could be forgiven for laughing out loud as their traditional foes shot themselves in the foot."
The Melbourne Herald Sun spoke of the 28-year-old's "sensational" decision to call it a day after just over five months in the role.
"English cricket has seen some bloody civil wars but the feud between bull-headed Pietersen and the industrious, unpretentious coach Peter Moores, has been the most vicious for some time." they said.
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