Moody 'keen on England coach job'

Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody would be "very interested" in taking on the same role with England if it became available, says his former county boss.

England's current coach Duncan Fletcher has said he will reconsider his position when the World Cup finishes.

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton told BBC Sport the Australian would make an excellent successor.

He said: "He is very knowledgeable about English cricket and [as a player] was a World Cup winner twice."

Moody's existing contract with Sri Lanka runs out after the World Cup.

His family are settled in Malvern, near Worcester, and the 41-year-old has already said he will not pursue the vacancy to coach Australia.

Newton said: "My gut feeling is that Tom would be very, very interested in the England coaching job, if it became available.

"He has clearly turned around Sri Lanka's one-day fortunes and realistically they go into the World Cup with as good a chance as any team - apart from Australia - of winning the thing.

"Tom's had a huge influence on the mentality of the team and how they approach one-day cricket.


No sportsman will listen to the same mantra for any long period of time without relaxing. The only person who has bucked that trend is Sir Alex Ferguson

Newton on Fletcher

"He is a very good coach, particularly at working with talented players.

"He does not over-rely on computer stats and so on. He still very much believes in the basics of cricket but if there's a plan of action or a way of playing he'll want it done that way. He's also a very good man manager."

Moody spent eight seasons as a Worcestershire player, and latterly captain, before stepping up to be director of cricket in 2001. In May 2005, he left to coach Sri Lanka.

Newton said Fletcher's natural "lifespan" as a coach may have come to an end, and suggested it might be time for him to consider another role within Team England.

He said: "My view is that Duncan has done a very good job. His outstanding talent is spotting individuals who will make very good players.

"But any coach has a lifespan and the key to great people is when they can judge when that lifespan is over.

"No sportsman will listen to the same mantra for any long period of time without relaxing. The only person who has bucked that trend is Sir Alex Ferguson."

Fletcher is on the England and Wales Cricket Board's permanent staff and has been backed by ECB chairman David Morgan and his players.

Bob Woolmer, 58, whose contract with Pakistan also expires at the end of the World Cup, has openly declared his interest in the England role.

Peter Moores, 44, director of the ECB Academy, is another potential contender should Fletcher resign or seek another job within English cricket.