Pata
05-15-2007, 07:48 AM
May 14: Supported by an Indian industrialist family, Western Australian Cricket Association staged a major coup by roping in Tom Moody as its new coach, frustrating desperate Sri Lankan efforts to retain the Australian.
Moody was much in demand after his impressive stint with the Sri Lankan side which reached the final of the World Cup.
While Sri Lanka was keen to retain the towering Australian, Moody decided to join Western Australia, a team he once led, for the next three seasons as its manager and head coach.
Interestingly, WACA also chose the occasion to announce its partnership with Indian industrialist Vikas Rambal and the Rambal family, who will be its first coach sponsor.
Moody brings with him Trevor Penney, who has been appointed assistant coach after two years in a similar role with Sri Lanka.
WACA Chief Executive Officer Graeme Wood said securing the services of Moody and Penney was a major coup for cricket in WA.
"This is one of the most significant appointments that the Association has ever made. We have been able to secure an internationally-respected mentor with an impeccable record and in the prime of his coaching career to take the Retravision Warriors forward," Wood said.
"Tom is a legend of WA cricket and has led the state to domestic first-class and One-day titles. He brings a wealth of coaching experience after his success with Sri Lanka and Worcestershire, and will command instant respect from the Retravision Warriors squad," he said.
Wood also thanked the Rambal family and said, "It is also a measure of Tom's standing in the cricket community that the highly-regarded Rambal family would come on board with the WACA as the first coach sponsor we've had."
Vikas Rambal said his family was delighted to be involved in the landmark sponsorship with the WACA.
"I believe every cricket lover in Western Australia will be delighted at the news that the Warriors will have the talents of such a sought after, international coach to steer them to success in the coming years," Rambal said.
The WACA statement also quoted Moody as saying that it was an honour for him to return to his home State.
"My aim as coach will be to do what I can to help the current crop of Retravision Warriors achieve that same success," he said.
"I am looking forward to working with former teammates such as Graeme Wood and Justin Langer, two men I was able to share the thrill of winning Sheffield Shield and domestic One-day titles with."
In Colombo, Sri Lanka Cricket issued a statement to announce that Moody would leave at the end of his contract this month for "personal and family commitments".
"Sri Lanka Cricket regrets that Tom Moody has to leave our services and respect his decision," the SLC statement read.
SLC quoted Moody as saying that it was a "difficult decision given the strong relationships built between Sri Lanka Cricket and myself.
"However, I would be more than happy to assist in whichever way I possibly can, for the continuous success of Sri Lanka Cricket," Moody said.
Moody was much in demand after his impressive stint with the Sri Lankan side which reached the final of the World Cup.
While Sri Lanka was keen to retain the towering Australian, Moody decided to join Western Australia, a team he once led, for the next three seasons as its manager and head coach.
Interestingly, WACA also chose the occasion to announce its partnership with Indian industrialist Vikas Rambal and the Rambal family, who will be its first coach sponsor.
Moody brings with him Trevor Penney, who has been appointed assistant coach after two years in a similar role with Sri Lanka.
WACA Chief Executive Officer Graeme Wood said securing the services of Moody and Penney was a major coup for cricket in WA.
"This is one of the most significant appointments that the Association has ever made. We have been able to secure an internationally-respected mentor with an impeccable record and in the prime of his coaching career to take the Retravision Warriors forward," Wood said.
"Tom is a legend of WA cricket and has led the state to domestic first-class and One-day titles. He brings a wealth of coaching experience after his success with Sri Lanka and Worcestershire, and will command instant respect from the Retravision Warriors squad," he said.
Wood also thanked the Rambal family and said, "It is also a measure of Tom's standing in the cricket community that the highly-regarded Rambal family would come on board with the WACA as the first coach sponsor we've had."
Vikas Rambal said his family was delighted to be involved in the landmark sponsorship with the WACA.
"I believe every cricket lover in Western Australia will be delighted at the news that the Warriors will have the talents of such a sought after, international coach to steer them to success in the coming years," Rambal said.
The WACA statement also quoted Moody as saying that it was an honour for him to return to his home State.
"My aim as coach will be to do what I can to help the current crop of Retravision Warriors achieve that same success," he said.
"I am looking forward to working with former teammates such as Graeme Wood and Justin Langer, two men I was able to share the thrill of winning Sheffield Shield and domestic One-day titles with."
In Colombo, Sri Lanka Cricket issued a statement to announce that Moody would leave at the end of his contract this month for "personal and family commitments".
"Sri Lanka Cricket regrets that Tom Moody has to leave our services and respect his decision," the SLC statement read.
SLC quoted Moody as saying that it was a "difficult decision given the strong relationships built between Sri Lanka Cricket and myself.
"However, I would be more than happy to assist in whichever way I possibly can, for the continuous success of Sri Lanka Cricket," Moody said.