Tom Moody was both tall and a player of stature. He measures in at 6ft 6ins, but overcame an early awkwardness against short bowling to become a batsman who at his best hit through the covers and down the ground with alarming power. He was also a capable medium-pace swing bowler, a safe slip fieldsman and a natural leader. His short Test career did not take off after he was sacrified as an opener in Sri Lanka in 1992-93, though he made a memorable comeback to the one-day team in time to play in, and contribute measurably to, Australia's 1999 World Cup win. He and Steve Waugh became the first two Australians to win two World Cups. Moody's greatest service was to Western Australia and Worcestershire, leading both to all manner of domestic silverware. Dogged by back injury, he retired in 2000-01 and became president of the Australian Cricketers' Association and coach, then director of cricket, at Worcestershire. He also made regular appearances as an analyst on TV. In 2005 he was linked with the Indian coaching job, but in May he was appointed as Sri Lanka's coach. He quickly made an impression and guided Sri Lanka to the World Cup final in April 2007. The following month he quit and announced he was returning home to coach Western Australia.
Greg Baum