Asian teams on coach hunt

If we take a close look at the current international coaching scenario what it tells us is that in some cases establishment administration in South Asia is a messy business.

Already three coaching vacancy signs have been posted and it would not come as too big a surprise if next week a fourth name, that of Tom Moody, is added to this already divisive list.

Which makes us wonder why it is that top administrations in countries such as Australia and England, even New Zealand are ahead of the rest? Simple really. They are more organised and transparent in what they do.

Cricket Australia had known for months that John Buchanan was retiring after seven years. As expected of professionals, Australia sorted out their new coach well before the World Cup team was announced. Tim Nielson, a 39-year-old former South Australian player and head of their coaching academy was the man they wanted.

This was after Tom Moody declined the offer. Not surprising either as it turned out. He was looking at Duncan Fletcher's job and admitted as much in an interview last week.

England's new man Peter Moores, was a handy competent at county level with a good record for Sussex and had his name ticked for the job before even the World Cup. David Graveney, England's head selection honcho admitted as much in a conversation back in January when looking beyond CWC07 and a post-Fletcher era.

England wanted a homegrown product, but look at who Moores went for as a deputy. Why, it was Andy Flower, a man still passionate about Zimbabwe, but like many of his countrymen living out a life elsewhere, he is as disillusioned about the state of affairs as he was when wearing the black armband in protest at the death of democracy four years ago.

West Indies were quick to fill Bennet King's vacancy with Australian David Moore, while South Africa 's Mickey Arthur, referred to less kindly as 'Mickey Mouse' by some critics, has begged Cricket South Africa for a second chance. He feels he has something major to offer.

What this does is leave Asia in disarray. India in Bangladesh with a makeshift plan. No matter how he tries, likeable Ravi Shastri's temporary job is just that. India are substituting a water pistol to put out a fire instead of looking at a fire chief to do the job with the necessary equipment.

Dav Whatmore, sticking it out in Bangladesh for one more series, and with India as the opponents and eager to wrap up his tenure with some success. Shastri has been tasked to talk to Whatmore about the India job, which gives the impression that BCCI are more concerned about money, image and TV matters than team preparation, policy and welfare; and this with the series with South Africa in Ireland followed by the tour of England not far off.

Had they been serious, BCCI would have had a genuine backup plan in place to fill the void left by Chappell's management withdrawal but they are still floundering like pastry chefs without a plan and heat in the kitchen getting hotter by the day.

Pakistan dithered for weeks in the wake of Bob Woolmer's murder and like India without a replacement. The tearstains are all too prevalent on their tracksuit collars and the hubris surrounding the side makes you wonder if they have learnt any genuine lessons from their own Caribbean calypso collapso efforts.

This leaves us with Sri Lanka and Moody's long-term plans. There are those in Colombo crossing fingers and hoping that when he returns next week he has good news. Frankly, Moody, despite what even his formidable critics were saying a year ago now fervently hope won't happen, will tell Sri Lanka Cricket that from May 31 they need to find someone else.

Moores move up the rung to England coach has left the door ajar for the England Academy job. Moody's family is in England and children settled at school. The academy is an ideal job and that means farewell after the Abu Dhabi slogs – should these take place.