Sri Lanka coach Moody seeks World Cup momentum

COLOMBO, Nov 25 (Reuters) Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody wants his team to build-up momentum for next year's World Cup during their seven-week tour of New Zealand.

''To me, sport in general is all about momentum,'' Moody told reporters before the team's departure today.

Sri Lanka face two tests and a five-match one-day series with the first test starting on Dec. 7.

Moody said: ''If we can take some positive momentum out of these test matches by getting our top order batsmen scoring runs and our bowlers taking wickets that will flow into our one-day games.'' He added: ''I don't think we are anywhere near our best now. In fact, I'd be disappointed if we were as we are building towards our best and are looking to peak for the World Cup.

''But it is important that we don't get too far ahead of ourselves. We've got a five-match one-day series to win in New Zealand. Then we have the challenge of going back to India again and playing a four-match series there before the World Cup.'' Sri Lanka's failure to qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy in India prompted fierce media criticism. The Sri Lankans had been considered one of the pre-tournament favourites after a string of one-day victories.

REUTERS AY ND2042