COLOMBO, May 25: Sri Lanka have hired former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody as their cricket coach till the 2007 World Cup to be held in the West Indies, officials said here on Wednesday. “Tom Moody will take over as the coach of the national cricket team,” said Jayantha Dharmadasa, chairman of the Cricket Interim Committee.

“He was the favourite to take over the post and we were very satisfied with the presentation he made on what he expects to do with the national team,” Dharmadasa added.

The coach gave a four-hour presentation to a panel which included three former captains — Arjuna Ranatunga, Duleep Mendis and Michael Tissera.

Moody, 39, who was in the World Cup winning teams in 1987 and 1999, will take over during Sri Lanka’s tour of the West Indies starting July 15.

He was also in the running to coach the Indian team before losing out to compatriot Greg Chappell last week.

Moody is presently contracted with English county Worcestershire but has a “get away” clause which will make him free to take on the new job.

Moody played eight Tests and 76 One-day Internationals for Australia.—AFP