Moody ends Worcs career to join Sri Lanka

TOM Moody looked back with pride on 14 years with Worcestershire as he ended his reign as coach to join Sri Lanka.

"I would never have anticipated that I would play as long as I did in county cricket and I would never have dreamt I would come back here coaching.

"I have enjoyed the friendship I have here with the club and the people associated with the club," said the former Australian all-rounder.

"I've learnt a lot along the way and enjoyed every bit of it."

Moody's final game was tinged with disappointment as the Black Pears lost to Bangladesh, a side led by former Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore. Former wicket-keeper Steven Rhodes takes the top job at New Road.

"This move to Sri Lanka certainly wasn't something that was planned," Moody continued. "I was always going to sit down with the club in June and discuss the future.

"But it just seemed that over the last six months there were more and more opportunities coming up at international level and me being linked to all of them.

"It wasn't until I actually met with the Indians and then the Sri Lankans that it really crystallised into something. You can't predict the timing of international jobs.

"It's such a good opportunity and Sri Lanka are an excellent side and there is room for them to continue to improve."

[BBC]