NEW Worcestershire coach Tom Moody has ruled out the possibility of being pressed into service as an emergency overseas player.

That situation could arise if Australian paceman Andy Bichel is called up as an Ashes tour replacement.

Moody spent eight successful seasons at New Road prior to quitting the county at the end of the 1999 season before returning this summer as Bill Athey's successor as coach.

But the former Western Australia captain is adamant he will not fill the gap if Bichel, the county's overseas signing for 2001, is needed by Australia should they hit injury problems during the tour of England.

Bichel played in the winter series against West Indies, taking a Test-best five for 60 in Melbourne, but was left out of the tour party for India.

Moody said: "There is no option for that to happen in terms of me playing. I've retired and I'm totally comfortable with the fact that I've finished my playing career.

"I've enjoyed every bit of my playing career but it's someone else's turn to have a go.

"There are no contingency plans at the moment in case Andy is called up."