We are looking for constant improvement: Tom Moody

Hyderabad (IANS): Sunrisers Hyderabad chief coach Tom Moody said the team was constantly looking to improve in all three departments of the game.

He feels it is continuing process and doesn’t stop with the team qualifying for semifinals or finals.

“We can always improve with bat, ball or fielding. I constantly said to the team that they should look to develop skills individually and also as a team,” he told reporters after Sunrisers beat Rajasthan Royals by 23 runs to brighten its chances of making it to the play-offs.

While admitting that Sunrisers batting was under pressure, the Australian said as a coach more important for him was how the team recovers.

He was all praise for Biplab Samantray for rising to the occasion by playing a fine inning of 55 under pressure to take the team to a position where it can compete in the second half

“I am very pleased. It was extremely important game for us and after early setback the team showed character as a playing group and more importantly the two inexperienced and young cricketers took us to a position where we could compete in the second half of the game. It was more pleasing,” he said referring to 44-run partnership for fourth wicket between Samantray and Hanuma Vihari, which helped the side set a target of 137.

Moody noted that Samantray got limited opportunities this season and with changing batting order it was always difficult for a batsman to adjust. But he showed his character and for the second time in the tournament helped the team to a competitive total.

When asked if he thought 136 was a safe score, Moody said he always believed that no score is safe. He said it would be foolish to think so and pointed out how the team was subjected to Kieron Pollard’s power display in the game against Mumbai Indians. “We knew we had to work hard to bowl well and field well. We knew if we do that we have a good chance,” he said.

On Royals fast bowler James Faulkner, who became the tournament’s highest wicket taker this season, Moody said he was having an incredibly good season despite his constant changing of teams. Last year, he was in Kings XI Punjab.

“His bowling is exceptional. The great thing is his ability to move the new ball around. He also has the ability to bowl very good slow balls and he has got the ability to bowl to yorkers on command. When you have three ingredients it makes you pretty useful bowler at any stage of the game,” Moody said.