Moles set to rejoin Warwickshire?

Scotland's national coach, Andy Moles, has denied that he is being lined up to replace Australia's John Inverarity in the role at Warwickshire next month, but he has admitted to being "flattered" by speculation linking him to his old county. His words are likely to increase speculation that the Scots will be looking for a new coach, just weeks after qualifying for the 2007 World Cup, and although the Cricket Scotland chief executive, Roddy Smith, is clinging to the hope he can persuade Moles to sign a new contract when his present deal runs out in September, it is privately believed there is no prospect of matching the £80,000-a-year salary on offer in Birmingham.

"I can tell you, hand on heart, that I haven't discussed contracts or held discussions with Warwickshire, and, as matters stand, I am thoroughly enjoying working with the Scotland team and the guys have performed magnificently in the last few weeks to guarantee their World Cup place, win the ICC Trophy, and earn full ODI status," said Moles. "But obviously, I know I am popular with the members at Warwickshire, I am aware that John is leaving the county at the end of the season, and I am flattered that my name is being mentioned in connection with speculation about the job.

"What I can tell you is that, no matter what transpires, my decision won't come down to finance alone, and I wouldn't go anywhere just for the money, but Warwickshire are clearly close to my heart, I spent my playing career there, and I will have to sit down with Roddy and discuss my future. At this stage, my sole priority is guiding the Scots towards more victories in the totesport League and encouraging the Under-19s to capitalise on their achievement in reaching next year's World Cup. But, in the longer term, we all have mortgages to pay and other people to think about, so I will weigh up what is best and will do so openly and honestly."

Moles seems frustrated with the prevailing situation where a key individual such as the wicketkeeper-batsman, Colin Smith, was ruled out of the majority of the ICC Trophy matches, because of his constabulary duties at the G8 summit. "I would have hoped that the police might have shown more sympathy to our cause, because I have no doubts that if Colin had been a rugby player, he would have been available to represent his country."

Furthermore, in striving to choose the same XI that won the trophy in Ireland, to meet the Australians in Edinburgh on August 18, Moles has already learned that his allrounder, Dougie Brown, is out of contention, due to his commitments with Warwickshire. "We can't complain about that - they are in the semi-finals of the C & G Trophy two days later and it is a really big match for them," he said. "It does mean, though, that we are being constantly forced to redraw our plans, and check on work commitments, and that makes it very difficult for the side to build up any sense of continuity."

Mercifully, therefore, Scotland will be assisted by the ICC, as of January 2006, from which time they will be able to invoke regulations where the counties have to release their players for officially-sanctioned tournaments. "It's a bit like the scenario you have in football," said Moles, "where the emerging nations are able to rely on FIFA to ensure they can call upon their best personnel for international matches, and it will make a genuine difference to the strength of future Scotland sides.

"Okay, next summer, our English-based players will not be in the mix for the revamped C&G Trophy, but thereafter, whether it be the Intercontinental Cup, one-day internationals, or as part of a new competition with the other World Cup qualifiers and Kenya, the Scots, barring injury, should be able to send out their best eleven guys onto the pitch when it counts."

The only question hanging in the air is whether the redoubtable Moles will still be in charge of them. One suspects, given his own testimony, he won't.