Waugh backs Moody as Indian coach

Steve Waugh: He'd go with Tom Moody © Getty Images

Steve Waugh has chosen Tom Moody, one of four candidates to replace John Wright, to take over as India's coach. Waugh, who is in India on a charity-cum-business trip, said he encouraged Moody to send his resume to the Indian board, and he was shortlisted alongside Greg Chappell, Mohinder Amarnath and Sandeep Patil.

Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Waugh said: "Chappell has a very sharp cricketing brain, but Moody is young, talented and will gel with the Indian team better. He has a very good work ethic and vision. He is ambitious and very keen to get the job. If I were to choose, I would have preferred him."

Describing Moody as a "very good mentor", Waugh said: "He can take India to the next level."

India are embroiled in uncertainty not just about their coach but also their captain. While not commenting on Sourav Ganguly's travails in the post, Waugh said he should have been included among the probables for the ICC one-day World XI that will take on Australia in the Super Series in October.

"The decision not to consider him even for the one-day side is pretty harsh," Waugh said. "He could have been included, though I feel in Tests he has not been in good form for long."