Worcestershire: Athey sets targets as Moody misses start (15 April 1998)

15 April 1998

Worcestershire: Athey sets targets as Moody misses start

By Mike Beddow

TOM Moody is probably the busiest of the all-year-round cricketers as captain of Worcestershire and Western Australia, as well as being a member of his country's one-day side.

The potential for a conflict of interests has finally surfaced with his absence at the start of a new season. After scoring a century against Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield final, he was required in India and Sharjah for international tournaments.

His return to New Road will be delayed until April 26 and Graeme Hick will lead the county for two championship matches in his new position as vice-captain.

Moody's portfolio expanded when he reached his 30th birthday in 1995 but even this workaholic eventually stepped back from taking on a third role at New Road. Player, captain and coach would be too much, he decided.

The coaching position, which became vacant when David Houghton returned to his native Zimbabwe, has been filled by Bill Athey.

In part, this was a Moody-driven appointment, fitting his job profile of a disciplined, recently retired cricketer who had played at the top level. Athey is all of that: capped by England in 23 Tests and 31 one-day internationals and scorer of more than 25,000 first-class runs in the service of Yorkshire, Gloucestershire (where he was captain in 1989) and Sussex.

He also had the necessary coaching qualifications, though he places the badges a long way behind practical experience. "The best coaching preparation is 21 years in first-class cricket," he said.

Athey's new life began in January when floodwater was lapping over the carpets in the pavilion. "They wanted to get involved in everything," he added. While the main brief is to prepare professional contracted players to play first-team cricket, this is not to the exclusion of everything else.

"The job is wide-ranging. I looked at the youth squads, from under-11s to under-19s, in the indoor nets at Evesham, and I'll play in the second team if I feel the need to. Tom and I will work it out together - it's a partnership."

Of all the teams in the county championship, Worcestershire are among the easiest to recite. There are the cornerstones of the successful side of the late 1980s (Hick, Steve Rhodes, Phil Newport and Richard Illingworth) and those who developed on the back of that era (Stuart Lampitt, David Leatherdale and Gavin Haynes).

"The backbone of the side is terrific," said Athey. "These are players who have been very good at their jobs for a number of years and still have lots to offer."

The gradual changing of the old guard has continued with the retirement of Tim Curtis. Philip Weston thus becomes the senior opener, possibly in partnership with Reuben Spiring, and there should be more opportunities for Vikram Solanki.

The overall target is to improve on past performances. "That's what we want from all of them," said Athey. "If they got 1,000 runs, let's look for 1,200; if they took 50 wickets, look for 60."

One question was unanswered as the squad reported for pre-season practice. A new understudy wicketkeeper was expected to be found among a group of triallists.

In finishing third in the championship last season, Worcestershire overcame injuries to their senior bowlers, Illingworth and Newport, the former in a record-breaking benefit season which raised £271,275.

Newport is this year's beneficiary. The intention is not to over-bowl him after an Achilles' tendon operation and in that context Worcestershire would be greatly assisted by further progress from Alamgir Sheriyar and 20-year-old Maneer Mirza.

Meanwhile, there is an important change in committee at New Road. John Elliott, reserve wicketkeeper to Roy Booth in the 1960s, is the new chairman, taking over from Duncan Fearnley, who was in office throughout the most successful period in the club's history.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)