Re: Moody named Sri Lanka coach
Foreign or not, I firmly believe that just because someone played cricket at some level, doesn't necessarily make that person a good professional coach for a national team. Yeah, he can give a few tips here and there (like Waqar or Wasim etc), but to be a full time coach in all aspects of the game, they should get training for being a coach. I only know of one Pakistan ex-cricketer who got himself trained in being a professional coach, and that is Wasim Raja. May be there are others too. Our former cricketers rely more on jaan pehchaan and their laurels as former test crickets to land the lucrative coaching job with Pak Nat'l team. I assume this situation is similar across all Asian teams. Whereas Aussies, Saffies and British players get additional training to be formal coaches. That is the key difference.
Wasim Raja's problem was that he was too nice a guy, and a gentleman. To coach Pakistan national team, you need full backing of the board and be a hard-nosed guy, so that our superstars are kept in check and deliver to their full potential.
That is where I believe having Woolmer is a blessing. He is trained, is a professional, is a no-nonsense person and comes with such an impressive resume that our Board is giving him full support. I don't doubt that if a Pakistani coach comes with similar credentials and no-nonsense personality, he can be as effective as Woolmer. Just stay away from stupid politics, keep your mouth shut and focus on the job.