THE selectors will regret leaving Vikram Solanki out of England's World Cup squad earlier this year, according to former Worcestershire director of cricket Tom Moody.

Moody has revealed his shock at Solanki's omission and is still scratching his head to understand why his former team-mate remains on the periphery of England's one-day set-up.

"I think it was a big mistake for England to leave Vikram Solanki out of their World Cup squad," Moody said.

"He is a very good cricketer who has never really been given the opportunity to have an extended run in the England one-day side which surprises me.

"Vikram has given his all for Worcestershire for a number of years and we know he has the ability to do well for England but it's up to Peter Moores (England coach) to decide the make-up of the one-day side he wants to create."

Solanki played the last of his 51 one-day internationals against Sri Lanka last year.

His batting average of 26.75 does not do justice to his ability but Moody hit back at critics who he feels have judged Solanki unfairly.

"Vikram is probably a much better player than some of the ones that England have selected for one-day cricket in the past 18 months," Moody insisted.

"The key for him is to be consistent over a long period of time, but he has the ability to do that as he has shown for Worcestershire over the years and his talent is not in doubt."

Moody left New Road in 2005 to take up a new role as Sri Lanka's coach in May of the same year.

He resigned after the World Cup to fill the coaching vacancy at his native Western Australia (WA) and is now looking forward to a new challenge in the unforgiving environment of state cricket.

Moody added: "I am extremely proud of my involvement with WA cricket as a player and the success we enjoyed as a team throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

"My aim as coach will be to do what I can to help the current crop of Western Warriors achieve that same success.

"I am looking forward to working with former teammates such as Graeme Wood and Justin Langer, two men I was able to share the thrill of winning Sheffield Shield and domestic one-day titles with."