Moody won the World Cup with Australia in 1999

He spoke out to avoid distraction for Sri Lanka but will now be tipped to replace England's Duncan Fletcher.

"I may stay on with Sri Lanka or it could be somewhere else domestically or internationally," said Moody, 41.

"That doesn't mean I am any more likely to take a job in England than I am in Australia," he explained.

Interview: David Graveney on Sportsweek

Moody, who won the World Cup with Australia in 1999 and has coached Worcestershire, has a contract with Sri Lanka only until after this year's tournament in March and April.

Fletcher is on a rolling contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board but speculation is mounting he will stand down then, after a disastrous Ashes winter.

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer has made no secret of his interest in coaching England, with whom he played 19 Tests.

But chairman of selectors David Graveney said speculation about the position was premature.

"Tom Moody is an outstanding coach. There are plenty of outstanding English coaches who operate in our county system but let's not run before we walk," he told BBC Five Live.

"Duncan Fletcher is still England coach. He has the support of everybody close to the team, and the team in particular, and our main objective is to start winning games."

Moody's decision to withdrawn from the Aussie shortlist now leaves Tim Nielsen likely to step up from his position as head of Australia's centre of excellence.

"I just felt the timing wasn't right," Moody told Brisbane's Sunday Mail.

"I had to think long and hard about it but from a personal point of view it wasn't right and I wanted to let Cricket Australia know as soon as possible.

"Sri Lanka is my main focus and this had started to become a bit of a distraction to myself and the team which is the last thing it needs in the countdown to the World Cup."