Perfect boss for English cricket's fame Academy

14 April 2012

If only seven per cent of the great British public recognise the likes of Andrew Flintoff, Michael Vaughan and Steve Harmison, how many folk, do you suppose, could 'clock' England's next Academy boss?

But if Peter Moores, 42, is still largely unknown outside of Hove and Loughborough come 2009 then so be it: his job is to make big names, not become one.

The successor-in-waiting to Rod Marsh appears to be ideally suited on every count.

By the time he replaces Marsh at Loughborough in October, the Academy will have become the National Cricket Centre.

In eight years with Sussex, this former wicketkeeper-batsman has become a hugely respected figure and the driving force behind the county's historic championship triumph in 2003.

"I know English cricket has got itself a winner and an absolutely awesome character," said Sussex captain Chris Adams.

"I'm thrilled Peter got it, not just for him but also for English cricket. I'm a staunch believer that we've got some quality English coaches in this country.

"But it's far too easy to seek expertise abroad rather than promote from within."

Adams, whose England career ended on five Tests and a handful of one-day internationals, is a big fan of England coach Duncan Fletcher and an admirer of Marsh. He reckons, though, that Moores is the right man at the right time to follow Marsh and become a potential successor to Fletcher. Adams said: "If and when the job for the full national team comes up, then Peter has to be a very serious contender for that as well.

"He possesses all the attributes you look for and has more energy than anyone else I've met."

So what are his strengths? "He has a real passion for coaching," says Adams. "Having taken on more and more responsibility off the field here at Hove has perhaps moved him away from what he does best, which is hands-on coaching.

"That's his genuine role, getting his hands dirty if you like, and he should be able to get back to that at the Academy." Talk to anyone at Sussex and they will tell you Moores is a good communicator and an outstanding man manager.

His first task, come October, will be to gain the same level of respect from a group of players who believe they are just a step away from Test or one-day international places.

"He'll be dealing with a group of young men who have extraordinary egos," accepts Adams. "That goes with the territory. All I know is that he's had to deal with some incredible egos here as well.

"Michael Bevan (the former Australia international) stands out - and if you spoke to Michael now he would give you a glowing report on Peter's coaching and management abilities."

Marsh had a reputation of being a hard taskmaster, though he wouldn't have got where he was without knowing when to use the carrot, rather than the stick, approach.

Adams says Moores can be a disciplinarian, too. But when it comes to pure coaching strategy, there is no complicated formula.

"Peter is a great believer in doing the basics, doing them often and doing them well." explains Adams. "Where Peter excels is that he does the basics year in and year out but he packages them differently. So each year it feels fresh and new because you are doing different drills.

"He's done a lot for my career and he'll do a lot for those young men at the Academy. They don't know how lucky they are."

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Perfect boss for English cricket's fame Academy

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