Moody keeps door open to England coaching role

Tom Moody, the former Australia batsman and Sri Lanka coach, has refused to rule himself out as a contender in the hunt for a new England coach, following the sacking of Peter Moores.

Moody was a candidate to replace Duncan Fletcher in 2007 before Moores was appointed, but at the time claimed he was never approached by the ECB. Now coach of Western Australia, as well as Kings XI Punjab, the Mohali franchise in the Indian Premier League, there were doubts he would be interested in uprooting his young family to come back to Britain. But his comments suggest that he could be open to the high-profile role of England coach.

"Obviously a lot has gone on in English cricket over the last couple of days," Moody said. "I've had no formal approach and until I do, I don't need to really think or consider anything but concentrate on the Warriors.

"You'd look at anything. This day and age, you're not going to turn your back on any opportunity,[But] I'm very happy here in Perth, [the] family is settled, I've got a great job, enjoying what I'm doing. I've got no reason to be looking further afield."

Speaking to the Daily Mail separately, Moody did little to fully include or exclude himself from the race, though he reiterated how much he loved his last international assignment, as coach of Sri Lanka.

"I haven't given the England job any thought whatsoever because this news has really come out of the blue. The whole situation is a surprise.

"Two years ago I was in a different position. I had finished with Sri Lanka and I was weighing up offers. There was speculation about the England job but I wasn't approached and nothing ever came of it.

"I'm reluctant to get involved in speculation now but we'll just see how it all goes. Things are completely different for me now, but who knows what will happen.

"I loved my time with Sri Lanka. It was a great experience and a terrific learning curve for me as a coach and manager. I completely enjoyed the opportunity."

Western Australia pay Moody approximately £100,000 per year, and he earns a further £115,000 coaching Mohali, but the ECB paid Fletcher closer to £500,000 and the board has the financial clout to seal the deal if negotiations go that far.

Moores was sacked this week after a high-profile dispute with Kevin Pietersen, who tendered his resignation as England captain. England have yet to appoint a stand-in coach for the forthcoming tour of the Caribbean, though Cricinfo understands Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwe batsman and deputy to Moores, is the frontrunner.