Sri Lanka under pressure to retain Moody

Pressure is building on the Sri Lankan board (SLC) to retain Tom Moody, the hottest property on the international cricket coaching circuit. Moody's contract with the SLC expires at the end of May 2007, when several other top nations - offering bigger pay packets - could be without coaches.

One country is, of course, Australia, and Moody is considered equal favourite - alongside centre of excellence director Tim Nielsen - to replace John Buchanan, who will quit his post after the World Cup. Moody is also among the front-runners to assume Duncan Fletcher's position as England coach, considering his association with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) during his time as coach of Worcestershire before he left to undertake the Sri Lankan job.

Moody also missed out becoming India's coach last year when he was edged out by fellow Australian Greg Chappell in the final run.

Jayantha Dharmadasa, the SLC president, voiced his concern on the Moody matter. "We need him to continue the good work he is doing. We have come this far with our programs for the future because of Moody," he said. "He has teamed up well with the players and the cricket administration unlike coaches of the past that had to leave because of certain differences."

"Moody is such a genial person and easy to work with that I have often asked him whether he was an Australian. Both parties are happy with each other and we are working together cordially. The players are happy with him. So I don't see any reason why he should want to leave us."

Asked whether Moody might be tempted by bigger pay packets than what SLC has to offer, Dharmadasa said: "We can't match what India, Australia and England can offer him. But my opinion is that we would like him to stay. He might ask for a bigger fee. Depending on how we fare at the World Cup that might also be possible".

Moody is the fourth Australian to coach the Sri Lankan team after Dav Whatmore, Bruce Yardley and John Dyson, all former Test cricketers. After an initial difficult period, Sri Lanka blossomed under Moody's guidance with six Test victories out of 11 and 19 out of 35 ODIs in 2006, the highlight of which was a 5-0 whitewash in England.