Moody quits as Sri Lanka coach!!!!!

Sydney: Former Australian Test batsman Tom Moody has accepted a deal to coach Western Australia after rejecting an offer to remain in charge of Sri Lanka.

Moody coached Sri Lanka to the final of this year's World Cup but turned down an offer of a renewed contract to return to where he began his playing career.

"I am extremely proud of my involvement with WA cricket as a player and the success we enjoyed as a team throughout the 1980s and 1990s," Moody said in a statement released by the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) on Monday.

"I am looking forward to working with former teammates such as Graeme Wood and Justin Langer, two men I was able to share the thrill of winning Sheffield Shield and domestic One-day titles with."

Moody played 145 first-class matches for Western Australia and won the national interstate championship, formerly known as the Sheffield Shield, five times.

He also played eight tests and 76 One-Day Internationals for Australia and was a member of the 1987 and 1999 squads that won the World Cup before turning his hand to coaching.

He began his coaching career with Worcestershire in England before taking over as head coach of Sri Lanka two years ago, but said he planned to quit after the World Cup.

"This is one of the most significant appointments that the Association has ever made," WACA chief executive officer Graeme Wood said.

"Tom is a legend of WA cricket and has led the State to domestic first-class and One-Day titles. He brings a wealth of coaching experience after his success with Sri Lanka and Worcestershire, and will command instant respect from the squad."

Trevor Penney, who worked as Moody's assistant coach with Sri Lanka, will also join Western Australia, the WACA announced.