Moody’s presence in England, expensive yet vital

Tom Moody’s involvement with the national team during the forthcoming England series will cost Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) around Rs. 10 million but Cricket Technical Advisory Committee head Aravinda de Silva believes his presence is vital to obtain first- hand information on players and support staff to determine what improvement are needed.

Moody was enlisted on a three-year contract as Director of Cricket at a daily wage of US$ 1,900 (Rs 376,125) including a US$100 allowance. He will spend at least 300 days in Sri Lanka over the next three years, focusing on analysis of future tour programme, the domestic tournament structure, player welfare, education and skill development, coaching and support staff structure, high performance and data analytics.

“It’s not like being outside and making decisions. We need him to get insight into the team’s workings, understand the strengths and weaknesses of players and the support staff,” said de Silva. “We are also sending a team of 24-players and they can work with him during the tour. Given the current COVID situation in the country, there’s hardly anything happening here. So we thought it’s best to get him to work with the players and the support staff during the tour.”

SLC hired Moody on the recommendation of the all-powerful Technical Advisory Committee which takes all cricket-related decisions at present.

Even though there had been some reservations among members of sending Moody with the team, the Board approved it given the clout de Silva’s committee has.

“We were not very much in favour of the decision but we also believe, under the current circumstances, it’s best he is working with the team. On the other hand, we are not making any additional payments but what we have agreed him in his contract,” a Board official said.

The Technical Committee appointed by Sports Minister comprises de Silva, Roshan Mahanama, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Kumar Sangakkara. Its primary function is to advise the Minister, Ministry officials, and the National Sports Council, chaired by Mahela Jayawardene, on all matters relating to Sri Lanka’s cricket.

Sri Lanka will leave on Tuesday for the England series which involved three ODIs and as many T20 internationals starting June 23.