Australian Tom Moody is primed to be appointed the men’s coach of the team based at the Kia Oval in the Hundred, the ECB’s new competition next year.
Moody, 53, has had an extensive playing and coaching career and is one of six candidates for the India head coach role that is currently being reviewed.
Moody is the latest overseas coach to join the Hundred, but the Oval Invincibles – as they are set to be called – will appoint a homegrown coach to lead their women’s team. Former England batter Lydia Greenway is set to fill that role.
Ricky Ponting had previously been linked to the men’s role, but Moody is set to get the job.
The Hundred is due to begin in July 2020 with the express intention of growing the game.
Coaches of four of the men’s teams and two of the women’s team have been announced. So far, there are five Australians (Shane Warne, Andrew McDonald, Simon Katich, Matthew Mott and Lisa Keightley), plus a South African, Gary Kirsten.
More appointments are expected in the coming weeks. Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann will be appointed as men’s coach of Northern Superchargers, while Stephen Fleming and Mahela Jayawardene will be at Trent Rockets and Southern Brave respectively.
England head coach Trevor Bayliss was initially keen, particularly on the Birmingham role that McDonald landed, but is now unlikely to be involved.
The draft for the competition takes place in October, with the team identities and names due to be confirmed in the weeks before
