Monday, February 05, 2007

Moody silent on England rumours

Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody refused to be drawn on speculation he could succeed Duncan Fletcher at the England helm.

Moody, in India with the Sri Lankans, is thought to be a leading contender.

"The ball is not in my court," the 41-year-old told BBC Sport. "My main focus is very much with Sri Lanka in India and our World Cup preparation.

"Whether I stay with Sri Lanka, stay in England in some capacity or do something else I probably won't know until after the World Cup."

Interview: Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody

Moody's uncertainty over his future and the fact that his family are settled in England, led many to assume he would accept the England position if, as expected, it was offered to him by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

But when pressed on BBC Five Live's Sportsweek programme he said: "I'm not going to comment on whether I would or wouldn't like the England job."

Sri Lanka officials are confident Moody will remain in his role after his current contract expires in May.

"Tom has done a wonderful job with the Sri Lanka team," said interim chairman Jayantha Darmadasa.

"We are very hopeful he will continue. He has been such an important part of our team."

Moody has emerged as the one of the most highly-rated coaches and offered a few of his own thoughts as to why he has been such a success, firstly with English county Worcestershire then, since 2005, with Sri Lanka.

"I've been fortunate enough to play the game for a long period at domestic and international level in England and Australia and that experience is invaluable.

"I'm a good man-manager and have a good understanding of the game and the people who play it."

He was interviewed for the post as John Buchanan's replacement in charge of Australia but turned down the job, saying: "The timing wasn't right for me.

"I'm only relatively young as a coach, I've been coaching six years."

He also ventured the theory that Duncan Fletcher may continue as England coach after the World Cup.

"One tour doesn't suddenly make Duncan a poor coach. He's been an outstanding coach for many years, he's made a significant difference.

"They obviously had a bad time down under but that's one poor series against many successful ones that he's been involved in.

"With (Kevin) Pietersen back into the team, (Andrew) Flintoff firing - England are a good side.

"Statistically things don't look too promising but it's not what counts over the past year or two it's that two month period in the Caribbean and England might hit their straps and find themselves in the semi-final, where you're basically two matches away from winning it."

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