Moody: ‘England players losing out by not playing in IPL’

Rory Dollard 11:12 07/07/2014
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  • Warning signs: Tom Moody (l) was in the running for the England coaching role while at the helm of IPL team Hyderabad Sunrisers.

    Tom Moody has revealed he was not ready to return to international cricket when the England coaching job came up this year and warned that Alastair Cook’s team is suffering from a lack of participation in the Indian and Caribbean Premier League.

    The former Australian all-rounder was on England and Wales Cricket Board’s shortlist to replace Andy Flower, but opted out of the process after tentative discussions.

    Another Australian, Trevor Bayliss, was the only overseas candidate interviewed by the ECB, who were keen to appoint a homegrown coach, but Moody’s formidable CV would surely have made him a strong contender.

    Instead, Peter Moores returned to the post and Moody continued his role with IPL franchise Hyderabad Sunrisers as well as a new job as director of cricket at the CPL, which begins on July 11.

    Outlining his decision to stand aside, the 48-year-old said: “Like most things in life it was down to timing, and it wasn’t right for me, but it’s an incredibly attractive job and I certainly wouldn’t close the door on international coaching in the future.”

    http://sport360.com/video/ipl-7/20901/sunrisers-coach-tom-moody-ipl-uae-returning-india-wounded-animals

    As for the scale of the job he decided against pursuing, Moody sees both an intriguing challenge and a difficult set of circumstances.

    The idea of regenerating a side that was partially dismantled as a result of the Ashes whitewash last winter is an appealing one to him, but he is mindful of the fact that England’s schedule rules most players out of joining other global stars at the IPL and CPL.

    “Teams are getting wiser and smarter about playing in other parts of the world and franchise cricket – the IPL, the CPL – is a lot to do with that. It’s a lot of international players sharing a dressing room, breaking it down,” he said.

    “England’s summer is the reason they can’t do that and, forgetting about the financial side, they are missing out on a unique opportunity. These competitions are the best learning experience you can have.

    “Take a young player like Jos Buttler. If he’s not there, there’s no doubt his progress is not going to be as rapid as someone who is getting those experiences.”

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