Tom Moody at centre of brutal announcement ahead of T20 World Cup
Aussie cricket great Tom Moody has suffered a second brutal setback in a matter of weeks, after his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket was terminated on Tuesday just weeks before the T20 World Cup.
Moody, who became Sri Lanka's director of cricket in March last year, was previously the team's head coach from 2005 to 2007.
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The former all-rounder led Sri Lanka to the final of the 50-over World Cup in 2007, where they lost to Australia.
Moody returned to Sri Lanka last year on a three-year deal as their director of cricket, but the deal has been terminated halfway through.
Sri Lanka Cricket announced on Tuesday that Moody's contract had been terminated by mutual agreement.
"The Executive Committee of the SLC, after much deliberation, was of the opinion that Tom Moody's services are no longer required as he was directly reporting to the Technical Advisory Committee, which has ceased to exist now," SLC said in a statement.
"Moody's appointment as the director of cricket was made based on a recommendation by the Technical Advisory Committee of the SLC.
"Sri Lanka Cricket, while thanking Tom for his contribution to the game of cricket in Sri Lanka during his tenure, wishes him the very best for his future endeavours."
Moody said in a statement: "It was a privilege to serve SLC again and I'm proud of what I've managed to achieve during my term with the guidance of the Technical Advisory Committee."
An unnamed source told the Daily Star in India that Moody had become 'too expensive' for Sri Lanka Cricket's board.
“We also feel that we need a person who is easily available. Who can spend more time in Sri Lanka,” the source said.
It is believed that batting great Mahela Jayawardena will be given a wider role after Moody's departure.
Tom Moody has left his role @OfficialSLC as Director of Cricket pic.twitter.com/xn1mhRxSER
— Mark Machado (@MarkMachado) September 20, 2022
Why not retained? theres something good happening. value to difference of opinion matter. Adjust to the best according to the Zone where the games are played. Do wz the Type of “Cricket attitudes” from the pitch groundsman to the environment, to wither the weather! Play SMART!
— Gihan P Malalasekera (@GMalalasekera) September 20, 2022
The intentions were good but objectives weren’t met.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) September 20, 2022
Such waste of money good 👍
— Philip (@Banana_island7) September 19, 2022
Tom Moody steps down as coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad
It comes as more bad news for Moody after he stepped down as the head coach of Indian Premier League team Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this month.
Sri Lanka have just won the Asian Cup where they beat Pakistan in the final of the T20 series.
Moody will serve as Director of Cricket for the Desert Vipers, one of six franchises in the new ILT20 league, set to begin in the UAE in January.
The 56-year-old played eight Test matches and 76 one-day internationals for Australia.
He scored 456 runs at Test level at an average of 32.57, as well as 1211 runs and 52 wickets in ODIs.
with AAP
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