The Hindu : Sport : Tom Moody has the right credentials

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 15, 2005

Sport

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Tom Moody has the right credentials

Peter Roebuck

India does not need to appoint a foreign coach. Overseas is not a land of infinite wisdom but a place full of pies and prams. Nor does India need to appoint a local man. An advanced, cosmopolitan country does not bother about the nationality of its assistants. The time comes to rise above all that.

Indian cricket needs to scrutinise the remaining candidates and with fingers crossed it must nominate the best man. There is nothing new in the proposal. It is exactly what happened last time, and the decision proved correct. Lessons can be learnt from the previous appointment. John Wright was not the obvious choice. He is not an imposing man, does not have a popular following, was not even an outstanding player. He was an outsider. All too often, committees promote past players beyond their capabilities in the hope that their magic will rub off on their charges. Almost without exception, the gamble fails.

But Wright had one thing going for him — a crucial qualification that ought to be written on the walls of the room where Sunil Gavaskar and friends meet to choose their man. He had proved himself at Kent and elsewhere, had served his time, had made the mistakes required so that a man might learn from them the better to inform his future conduct. He had a track record.

Amongst those still standing in the coaching stakes, Tom Moody has the most appeal. Some of those kind enough to offer their services can be dismissed out of hand. Dean Jones pursued the position enthusiastically but his inexperience counts against him.

Other serious contenders merit consideration. As ABC listeners could confirm, Greg Chappell has a probing, creative and fearless cricket brain. Sourav Ganguly counts amongst those who have sought his counsel. Chappell gives willingly to cricketers from all countries, and understands the fundamentals of the game as well as anyone. In his time he has coached South Australia and Australia `A' and therefore has gathered the exposure that even the finest cricketers need as they adjust from playing to guiding.

Chappell's age need not count against him. A man 20 years older was selected as the next Pope. Sir Alec Ferguson is not exactly a slip of a lad. Coaches come in various shapes and sizes. Younger men may talk the same language as their players but seasoned campaigners collect wisdom as a rolling stone does moss.

My reservations about Chappell concern not his abilities but his staying power. Modern international coaches are expected to accompany their teams throughout numerous tours and home series. Patience and attention to detail are required, Chappell works in broader sweeps and is better suited to helping rising players and accomplished batsmen whose games have deserted them than taking charge of a group for an extended period.

`Jimmy' Amarnath counts amongst those eager to take the gilded path to coaching at the highest levels. That he is a fine and popular man is beside the point. Simply, there is insufficient evidence that he is up to the task. A businessman would not waste much time upon his application.

Sandeep Patil's withdrawal was a matter of regret because he had many of the attributes needed for the job. Indeed he would have been my choice. Not because he is a proud Indian with an impressive playing record but because he has worked hard to improve his coaching and has succeeded at various levels.

Assuming he is still available Moody is the last man standing. He is young, ambitious and well respected in West Australia and Worcestershire. He listens without losing authority, appreciates innovations but does not forget that the basics do not change. Without being uncomfortably theoretical, he is a student of the game. To my mind, the tall Australian will mature into an excellent coach. India can appoint him with confidence.

Whoever is chosen, though, has a hard act to follow. Moreover, Wright was fortunate in his timing. His successor may not be so lucky.

PETER ROEBUCK

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