Sports - De Mel backs Moody for Aussie top job

Cricket’s chief selector Asantha de Mel believes Lanka’s coach, Tom Moody has the best credentials to become Australia’s coach when John Buchanan steps down following the 2007 World Cup.

De Mel who made his debut as Sri Lanka’s only genuine fast medium bowler in their inaugural Test played in 1982, now heads the Lankan cricket selection panel.

“When you take the coaches going around today, Moody has the best credentials. During the past few months he has produced a lot of positive results and looks like the best contender to take over that post in Australia after Buchanan,” De Mel said.

So far Moody has been named along with India’s coach Greg Chappell, Bangladesh coach Davnell Whatmore, West Indian coach Benett King, Tim Nielsen Head of Australia's centre of excellence, former Australian captain Steve Waugh among others as contenders for the Aussie post.

However, it is Moody’s name that has been on top of the list right through.

In answer to the question, what will Sri Lanka do after Moody’s tenure ends at the end of the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, de Mel said, “By all means we must try to re-negotiate our terms with Moody as he is the number one at present, if not we will have to look around.”

When asked if they will also look into some home grown talent De Mel’s answer was negative. He said, “As far as I am concerned, a Sri Lankan coaching Sri Lanka does not work. Yes, I am all for a Sri Lankan working as the assistant coach, but not as the main coach, it just does not work around here”.

Forty -year old Tom Moody took over Sri Lanka’s reign from fellow Australian John Dyson last year and is due to go on till the end of the next World Cup Cricket tournament.

Since he played his last Test against Sri Lanka in 1992, Tom Moody has been involved in cricket right through being the President of the Australian Cricketers Association and also as the coach of the English county Worcestershire.

Meanwhile former Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunge writing to the English Daily Herald Sun said "Normally after the World Cup there are a few changes. I am sure he will get an offer from Australia. That's normal procedure - we train people, then some other country will take them.,"

He praised Moody's skill in dealing with the Sri Lankan cricket politics. "It's very, very important...that you can deal with this as all these things can affect the team. I think he has handled everything very well."