We are Sharing a special conversation with Tom Moody . he is currently cricket Coach of Desert Vipers a team of DP world International leagure T20
Question: Leading in to game two, have things gone as you had hoped?
Tom Moody: “It is always nice to start with a win, even though that does not define your whole tournament. But from a team point of view, it gives the team confidence, particularly in a few passages of play when you find yourself under pressure. Like we lost two early wickets (in the first match versus Sharjah Warriors), but we managed to get re-established in the innings and had a very good partnership between Alex Hales and Sam Billings to secure the win. So just things within the game are important and those wins are important. It allows the team to settle in and feel comfortable that we have got one on the board.
Question: Now Wanindu Hasaranga has arrived, he seems pleased to be here, he is the number one men’s T20I bowler in the world, so where does he fit in to the squad?
Tom Moody: “Let’s put it this way, he is in (the playing eleven for the second match versus Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on Wednesday). It is just a case of getting the balance right. The Captain, Head Coach and I will have those discussions on trying to find the best balance against the opposition. It is going to be a difficult call on a player or two, but at the end of the day it is a long tournament, and everyone is going to play an important role. He (Wanindu Hasaranga) is great for us, because clearly he is a world-class bowler, and it is great to have him here fit and raring to go.”
Question: Hasaranga comes off the back of a Twenty20 International and One-Day International tour to India. Any concerns about his workload?
Tom Moody: “We have talked that through with him. We have got an understanding of where he is at with regards to his workload and what he has been doing with Sri Lanka both on and off the field. So we will make sure we transition that as smoothly as possible. We are aware that he played plenty of cricket over the last month or so, so we will be mindful of making sure he is not overdoing it at training, and he is fresh for every single game.”
Question: It is great because he offers so much value with the ball and the bat.
Tom Moody: “Yes, (he offers a lot with the bat and ball) and also in the field – he is a good fielder as well as being a world-class bowler and an impact batter. He just adds depth to that middle order, with the bat for us. He is a boundary hitter and an instinctive batter, which is exactly what you want in that middle phase.
“From a bowling perspective he can bowl in any of the three phases. He gives Colin, the captain, a great opportunity to use him where he sees best against the opposition, depending on what situation the game is in.”
Question: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders next, they have started poorly with a couple of losses, thus far. What have you made of what they have done so far in the tournament and what can you take into the back-to-back matches the Desert Vipers will play against them?
Tom Moody: “At the end of the day, their (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders) early form is not really related to our preparation. That is out of our control. We just need to look to get better in all three departments. That has got to be our focus.
“They have got some world-class players, like Andre Russell who can singlehandedly win a game for them, so we can’t at all take our eye off being our best version when we play against them. They have had some setbacks, and they’ll be hungry, and they will come hard.”
About the Desert Vipers
Owned by Lancer Capital, The Desert Vipers team is one of six to compete at the inaugural ICC-sanctioned ILT20 tournament to be held in the UAE in January-February 2023. Cricket Director Tom Moody and Head Coach James Foster lead operations in the star-studded Desert Vipers camp, which includes players like Sam Billings, Wanindu Hasaranga, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Tom Curran, and Sheldon Cottrell. Other key staffing appointments include Azhar Mahmood (fast bowling coach), Carl Crowe (spin bowling coach), Simon Helmot (fielding coach), and Neil McKenzie (batting coach).