Sri Lanka hunt for Moody's replacement

COLOMBO: World Cup runners-up Sri Lanka have formally started looking for a replacement for outgoing cricket coach Tom Moody, officials said here on Saturday.   

"We have started today advertising for a replacement for Tom Moody," Samantha Algama, the spokesperson for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), said. He added notices would appear on international cricket websites.   

"The short-listing of candidates will happen by the end of this month."   

Moody, named coach in 2005, announced earlier this month that the ongoing three-match one-day series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi would be his last assignment.   

The former Australian all-rounder was keeping his options open until the end of the World Cup in the West Indies before announcing his decision.   

Sri Lanka Cricket chief Jayantha Dharmadasa and captain Mahela Jayawardene had wanted Moody to continue.   

Algama said the SLC would appoint an interim coach for next month's home series against Bangladesh.   

The name of former New Zealand captain and India coach, John Wright, has so far figured in speculations about the possible successor to Moody.   

Sri Lanka finished runners-up to Australia in the World Cup in the Caribbean last month.