Moody mum on rumours of coaching England after World Cup

London, Feb 5 (UNI) Not many would let go the chance to coach a champion team like Australia or for that matter be excited to coach a Ashes-battered English team but Sri Lankan coach Tom Moody remains tightlipped amid speculations that he might succeed Duncan Fletcher after the World Cup.

Moody, who played in three World Cups, including two finals, for Australia refused to be drawn into whether he could be the man to succeed Duncan Fletcher but in his interview with BBC Sport, he said, ''The ball is not in my court.'' The 41-year-old went on to say, ''My main focus is very much with Sri Lanka in India and our World Cup preparation.

''Whether I stay with Sri Lanka, stay in England in some capacity or do something else I probably won't know until after the World Cup.'' Moody's uncertainty over his future and the fact that his family is settled in England, led many to assume he would accept the England position if, as expected, it was offered to him by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

But when pressed further, he refused to divulge what is on his mind, saying, ''I'm not going to comment on whether I would or wouldn't like the England job.'' Meanwhile, Sri Lanka officials are positive Moody will remain their coach after his current contract expires in May.

''Tom has done a wonderful job with the Sri Lanka team. We are very hopeful he will continue. He has been such an important part of our team,'' said interim chairman Jayantha Darmadasa.

When he was interviewed for the post as John Buchanan's replacement, he turned it down, saying,''The timing wasn't right for me. I'm only relatively young as a coach, I've been coaching six years.'' Moody refused to rule out England's chances at the World Cup and said the team has the potential to reach the semifinals.

''Statistically things don't look too promising but it's not what counts over the past year or two it's that two month period in the Caribbean and England might hit their straps and find themselves in the semi-final, where you're basically two matches away from winning it,'' said the man who was in the running to coach India after John Wright stepped down.

''With (Kevin) Pietersen back into the team, (Andrew) Flintoff firing - England are a good side,'' he added.

Moody has emerged as the one of the most highly-rated coaches after his stint with English county Worcestershire and his ongoing stint with Sri Lnaka since 2005.

He says, ''I'm a good man-manager and have a good understanding of the game and the people who play it.'' UNI