Moody embarrassed over Aussie reaction to Murali

Former Sri Lankan cricket coach Tom Moody says he is embarrassed by the derogatory reaction and constant harassment directed by Australian crowds towards Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.Muralitharan’s ultra-flexible bowling action has come under its heaviest scrutiny in Australia, where he has been called for throwing on two tours, prompting him to boycott Sri Lanka’s 2004 tour here.

Even Australian Prime Minister John Howard joined in by labelling him a “chucker.”

But Moody, who resigned after a successful stint as Sri Lanka coach to take up a coaching role with Western Australia, claims Murali’s bowling action is more legal than those of some other international cricketers.

“As an Australian when I have been with the Sri Lankan team in Australia, or playing against them in the World Cup, it’s the only situation we find in the whole of the cricketing world where we have this disgraceful slant on a cricketer,” Moody told Saturday’s The Australian newspaper.

“My take on it, and I hope I’m right, and I’ve shared this with Murali, is that it’s Australia’s nature to show that response in a way of respect and acknowledgement of someone who is pretty special and unique.

“I don’t know if I’m right. I hope I’m right because at times I’ve found it incredibly embarrassing.”

Moody, a World Cup winner with Australia in 1999, puts this attitude down to the competition between Murali and Australia’s retired champion spinner Shane Warne, who is the world’s leading wicket-taker with 708. Murali is second with 674, but given the amount he bowls and the rate at which he takes his wickets, he is likely to pass Warne within a year.

When Murali tours Australia for two Tests in November, he will still be behind Warne.

“They’re protecting their own. Australia has produced the greatest leg-spinner of all time and Australians are very proud of that,” Moody said.

“There’s that constant comparison between Warne and Murali, but I just think you cannot even begin to try and compare the two.”

The newspaper said many Australians, including most of the national team, had harboured suspicions about Murali’s ultra-flexible action, which includes a bent elbow, apparently a birth deformity.

This exploded publicly on Boxing Day 1995 when Australian umpire Darrell Hair called Murali seven times for throwing, creating a furore.

He was subsequently called during a one-day series in Australia, which almost prompted Sri Lanka to walk off midway through a one-day match in Adelaide four years later.

Murali refused to tour Australia in 2004 because of his treatment by Australians.

Largely on the back of controversy surrounding Murali, the International Cricket Council set up a detailed study of bowling actions, and found that just about every bowler threw the ball to some extent.

It set a limit of 15 degrees for a bowler’s elbow movement because it was only when a bowler’s arm flexed that far that it became detectable to the naked eye.

Courtesy : Sunday Observer

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Thank You And Good Bye Moody!

Australian Tom Moody ended his stint as coach of the Sri Lanka team. Mahela Jayawardene and his men dedicated their final match under Moody to their dedicated coach.

It turned out to be a grand farewell when Sri Lanka crushed Pakistan by 115 runs to give a fitting present to Moody, who guided Sri Lanka team all the way to the ICC World Cup finals.

Despite a few ups and downs in the early part of his stint as Sri Lanka coach, Moody transformed the Lankans into a fighting unit.

It was evident in the recent World Cup where the Lankans proved their ability to handle crunch situations.

Moody made an immense contribution to Sri Lanka cricket during his mission here and finished second only to his countryman Dav Whatmore, under whose coaching Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996.

But Moody failed to emulate Whatmore’s feat as Sri Lanka lost last month’s final to Australia.

Nevertheless, nobody could deny the fact that Moody made a lavish contribution to Sri Lanka cricket and his absence would be badly felt.

Moody too was in two minds whether to remain here or not but he was compelled to give priority to his family commitments.

Moody is one of the few men who has internationally proved that money is not everything.

His decision to quit Sri Lanka team also carries a message on a true role of a father. It is no secret that Sri Lanka offered him a 50% salary hike, if he renews his contract.

But a true family man, Moody politely refused that huge pay packet and decided to go back to Australia to be with his family.

He knows that this is the time his children and wife need his presence the most. He was not willing to let the dollars to come before his family commitments.

His success with the Sri Lanka even makes him a strong candidate to become the new Australian coach. Being an Australian, it would have been a memorable feat and pride for him to coach the world champions.

But when he had a look at the international calendar of the Australian team, he found they would have more away matches than home. Finally, he had to kick aside that would be golden opportunity and settle with the Western Australian state side, which would enable him to spend more time with his family.

True that all of us would feel sad to lose him at this juncture but at the same time should pay tribute to his bold decision to honour family commitments. It is a good example for all those who run after money and glory, forgetting their priorities.

Now, it’s the time for globe shopping for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to find a successor to Moody. The SLC is right in taking time to find a suitable replacement. We need not panic or be in a hurry to find another foreign coach. As the SLC is planning to do, we could well have an interim coach before picking the right man for the job.

Unlike in most other countries, it has now become customary for the subcontinent teams to go after foreign coaches. There was a long debate on suitability of foreign coaches until Whatmore proved a point beyond reasonable doubt.

It is extremely difficult for a local to coach a subcontinent team as people would lobby for favourites. Even if the coach plays a neutral role, interested parties would make sinister move to throw a local coach, if he fails to take orders from influential politicians and big names in society.

Hence, it has come to a stage when we are compelled to accept foreign coaches whether we like it or not. On the other hand, it’s unfair by qualified local coaches who dream of coaching their Motherland one day.

It is understood that the authorities have earmarked about six foreign coaches and the hunt is on for the best head. Both Whatmore and Moody maintained a close rapport with the players but at the same time, they knew where to draw the like when it came to serious business. Moody was a fatherly figure to his players, who would miss him too badly.

But no one is indispensable in this world. Whatever happens, Sri Lanka team will have to maintain their professional approach and make every endeavour to be a strong force in World cricket.

The SLC must use all channels in their bid to find an equally clever replacement. Sometimes big names do matter. Paper qualifications too would be important.

But those are not the sole ingredients to make a complete and successful coach. A coach should have a true human heart with excellent communication skills.

We hope the Sri Lanka Cricket would play a straight bat and find a quality replacement to fill the void created by Moody. We wish Tom Moody all success in his future endeavours. Thank you Moody, for being a part of the Sri Lankan cricketing family.

Courtesy : Daily News

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Sri Lanka team gives Moody a Fitting Farewell

Shahid Afridi and Mahela Jayawardane share the man of the series award following the 3rd One Day International cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Sheik Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

World Cup finalists Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 115 runs in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday in their third and final one day international. Sri Lanka made 296-9 off 50 overs while Pakistan could only muster 181 all out off 42.5 overs.
It was also the farewell game for Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody, who is scheduled to take up a coaching assignment in Wesrtern Australia. However Assistant Coach Trevor Penny will remain until Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka is over. It was also the last assignment for Manager Michael Tissera who will say goodbye to the team.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene led a Sri Lankan fightback in the Warid Cricket Series with a classy innings of 83 and post a challenging total against Pakistan in their third and final match.

Having hit a brisk 61 in the previous game, Mahela was in superb form as he struck 2 majestic sixes and 7 boundaries in his 83 off just 81 balls.

Keeping Jayawardene company was “Mr Consistent” Chamara Silva (64 in 87 balls) adding a valuable 124 for the fourth wicket.

From the openers, Tharanga was pretty aggressive with 6 boundaries in his 40, while Jayasuriya sparkled briefly with a six and 2 fours.

Last-gasp cameos from Tillekaratne Dilshan and Lasith Malinga ensured that Sri Lanka came within sight of the 300-mark after some rash stroke play and indifferent running had threatened to derail the innings. Dilshan drove home the advantage with a quickfire 28 off just 14 balls with one six and three fours and Sri Lanka reached 296 for 9 in their 50 overs. The eighteen that came off the last over bowled by the otherwise impressive Rao Ifitkhar meant that Pakistan needed to reach a target of 297 in order to complete a 3-0 whitewash.

Dilhara Fernando, an accurate set of throws and the omnipresent panic button accompanying the Pakistan team earned Sri Lanka a well-deserved victory in the final match of the ODI series in Abu Dhabi and avoid a series whitewash.

Fernando captured three wickets, including a two-in-two, and Tillekaratne Dilshan inflicted two direct hits as Pakistan lost their way after a relatively decent start.

Additionally both Maharoof and Kaushal Lokuarrachi shared four wickets between each other.

Dilhara Fernando was adjudged Man of the Match while both Mahela Jayawardene and Shahid Afridi shared the honors for the Man of the series.

Leading Batsman of the Series: Mahela Jayawardene – 162 runs (avg. 54.00), hs: 83
Leading Bowler of the Series: Farveez Maharoof – 6 wkts (avg. 25.83), bb: 3/65

The victory sealed a perfect send off to Tom Moody, Sri Lanka’s out-going coach, and also marks the end of a hectic schedule for Sri Lanka who barely had any rest after their hugely successful World Cup campaign. However, based on the display of energy and commitment shown in the field tonight, Moody leaves behind a team well equipped to take on mighty challenges in the future even without the services of their star performers.

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Vaas pays a tribute to Moody

Sri Lanka’s veteran opening bowler Chaminda Vaas has paid tribute to the outgoing coach, Tom Moody, as a “great motivator”.

Moody was a special coach who had a great vision to bring best out of a talented team, Vaas told BBC Sandeshaya.

The young coach who only finished his career as a player in 1999, Vaas said, was very close with the Sri Lankan team.

Tom Moody who announced his resignation on Monday is currently in Abu Dhabi, the last tour for him as Sri Lanka’s head coach.

The former Australian World Cup winner is highly praised for his role as Sri Lanka became runners up of 2007 Cricket World cup in the Caribbean.

	Vaas highly praised Moody’s planning and motivation skills

Chaminda Vaas played under Moody in Worcestershire County Cricket Club just before he was appointed as the Sri Lanka coach.

Vass, who started summer season with Middlesex on Wednesday, told BBC Sinhala Service that he ‘learnt a lot’ from Moody while playing with Worcestershire.

“What I learnt from Moody helped me a lot for my cricketing career,” Vaas said adding that Moody’s planning skills was another great asset of the former Australian cricketer.

Asked who should replace Moody as Sri Lanka’s coach, Chaminda Vaas was of the opinion that it is up to the Sri Lanka authorities to decide.

“A coach can only do ten percent of the team’s work. Ninety percent depend upon the players. I think the most impotant thing for the coach is to motivate the team which Moody did hundred percent”.

Admitting that security situation in Sri Lanka has played role in Moody’s decision to leave Sri Lanka, Chaminda Vaas said Moody also wanted to be closer to the family.

“He has got an opportunity to serve in his native country. It can be a step back word because he left for a county, but I think his main focus was to stay together with his family”.

Courtesy : BBC Sandeshaya

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Mahela pays a tribute to Moody

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardena said that he would make every effort to win the up coming one day international series in Abu Dhabi to give their departing coach Tom Moody a proper farewell.The fifteen member Sri Lankan contingent left the island yesterday and will play three one day internationals against Pakistan on May 18, 20 and 22. This is the first time that Sri Lanka will be competing at this venue and their first major assignment since the International Cricket Council World Cup in the West Indies.

Tom Moody who guided Sri Lanka to the World Cup final last month informed the SLC that due to his family and personal commitments he was unable to continue with the job. The former Australian all rounder is to take up coaching his state the Western Australian team.

Jayawardena emphasized the importance of this short series even though some of the players are still recovering after the World Cup. He said that the team would love to give Tom Moody a proper farewell because he had put a lot of effort and he deserves the best.

He is easily one of the best coaches in the international scene. We made steady progress under his guidance. A lot of young players improved a lot under his leadership.

We should respect his decision because he has his family commitments. We should now look to the future.

Skipper Jayawardena said that the team would certainly miss the services of Tom Moody who has transformed the side into a competitive one since taking over the job in 2005.

It is a tough one considering the fact that we had been with him for nearly two years. You have to accept the decision that he has made and obviously that’s something which he had explained. And he was looking at a different angle, the amount of travelling we had and as he spent very little time with his family.

The Sri Lankan captain also said that Moody had put a lot of effort to rebuild the side during the past few months. “I am sure if anybody else would have been in his shoes probably he would have taken the same decision. So you got to respect that and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours” added Jayawardena.

He has challenged every individual not just me personally but all fifteen or sixteen players and every time he had challenged us, not to stay at one place and make sure that we improve ourselves from where we are. So whether it may be physically, mentally or technically we had to improve each day and try to add something new to our game.

Skipper Jayawardena also stressed the importance of continuing with the same momentum and keeping the habit of winning on more occasions. “Even though he is not there obviously he will be monitoring our progress and we could always speak to him as he is not far away from us.

That’s something we would look forward and try and continue to do the work that we had been doing with him because it has been successful for us”.

On the preparations for the tournament, Jayawardena said that they had very little time to get organised as some of the players were still recovering after a gruelling tour of the West Indies. He said the team would plan out a strategy on how to play against Pakistan once they had inspected the wickets and the conditions in Abu Dhabi.

The Sri Lankan captain said that they would certainly miss the services of the three regular players but it was encouraging to see a couple of new faces coming into the scene.

Courtesy : Daily News

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Moody returns to Western Australia

Tom Moody, Sri Lanka’s coach who guided the team to the 2007 World Cup final has decided to return home to Western Australia, Sri Lanka Cricket officials said on Monday.

Moody took over as Head coach of the Sri Lankan team two years back and his contract ends this May.

Moody, a former Australian Test cricketer, expects to take over as head coach of Western Australia state on July 1. Moody’s assistant will be Trevor Penney, fielding coach of the Sri Lankan team.

After the World Cup, where Sri Lanka lost in the final to Australia, Moody said he planned to meet the sport’s administrators in Sri Lanka to discuss his future with the team.

Sri Lanka Cricket authorities, in a statement from Colombo, said Moody had “conveyed his inability to continue with Sri Lanka Cricket at the end of his contract due to personal and family commitments. Sri Lanka is grateful to Tom for his valuable contribution to the success of the Sri Lanka national cricket team …”

The statement quoted Moody, as saying that family considerations were the major reason for his move back to Australia.

“It was a very difficult decision to make given the strong relationship that has been built between Sri Lanka Cricket and myself, but at this stage in my life, it was important that I made a bigger commitment to my family,” said Moody.

“However I would be more than happy to assist in whichever way I possibly can, for the continuous success of Sri Lanka cricket.”

Moody has been a tremendous inspiration to the team for the past two years. Before the success in the World Cup, in 2006, Sri Lanka whitewashed a one-day series against England 5-0 and levelled a test and one-day series with New Zealand. He has also assisted the team to find new, talented faces like the young Chamara Silva.

Not to forget, Sri Lanka’s fielding has improved to great depths thanks to the assistance from Fielding coach, Trevor Penny.

Like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Sri Lanka too will now be on the lookout for a coach.

Moody’s last tour with the team will be the 3-one day series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi expected to begin on the 18th of May.

Penny will be acting coach of the Sri Lanka team until his contract ends in August.

Courtesy : AFP

Lanka Cricket appreciates Moody’s and Penny’s valuable contributions to Sri Lanka Cricket !

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