TOM Moody will lead Worcestershire tomorrow for one of the final times.

The Australian, who was today formally appointed as Sri Lankan coach, flies back to Worcester tonight as the County prepare for tomorrow's totesport day-nighter against Glamorgan.

Steve Rhodes, as revealed in the Worcester News earlier this month, will step into Moody's shoes when the Aussie takes up the international post on June 18.

'Bumpy', who was made assistant coach last year following his retirement, was delighted that Moody had landed the job and was excited about his big challenge ahead.

"Everybody at the club is delighted for Tom," said Rhodes.

"I have worked with him on and off the field for nearly 14 years and have no doubt that he will prove to be as good a coach at international level as he has been at county level. Clearly my appointment represents a great opportunity for me and I am relishing the challenge ahead."

Moody has agreed a deal until June 2007 just a week after losing out in the race for the Indian coaching job.

"I am very excited and honoured to be Sri Lanka coach," he said. "I am ambitious and this is something that I have been striving for."

Rhodes will be named head coach rather than taking Moody's director of cricket title and chief executive Mark Newton explained the change.

"The role of director of cricket at Worcestershire is a main board position with full director status and we do not want to burden Steve with all the off the field activity this involves at this stage of the season," he said.

"At the end of the season we can review the situation and appoint accordingly. Our succession planning has been in place for over 12 months in the knowledge that Tom Moody would move on at some stage.

"Tom has kept us fully in-formed of progress and we are delighted both for Tom and the club that his talent has been recognised in this way."