England have sacked underperforming white-ball coach Matthew Mott after two years in the job.
The Australian departs after England surrendered both their 50-over and T20 World Cup titles following two underwhelming campaigns over the past 10 months.
Mott initially had success in his first year in the job, winning the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022. But England got progressively worse under his tenure.
The 50-year-old oversaw a horrendous ODI World Cup in India last winter, with the defending champions dumped out in the first round after losing six of their first seven matches as their form and confidence fell apart.
England then scraped into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in June, where they lost to eventual champions India. However, it was a troubled campaign where they flirted with another first-round exit and lost three of their four matches against Test-playing nations.
Mott’s future had been under real scrutiny following that shambolic 50-over campaign in India but he was backed by Rob Key, England’s director of cricket, after the tournament.
Yet the lack of progress since, including losing both T20 and ODI series on a tour of the West Indies last December and the disappointing T20 campaign that followed, sealed Mott’s fate two years into his four-year deal with the England & Wales Cricket Board.
Mott’s departure follows an in-depth review into the white-ball set up by Key, who spoke to both Mott and captain Jos Buttler last week before coming to his decision.
Buttler’s future had also been under threat but he remains in the job and will work alongside interim coach Marcus Trescothick for September’s T20 and ODI home series against Australia.
A full-time replacement for Mott will be made after that, with 2005 Ashes-winning hero Andrew Flintoff, who has worked as a consultant with the white-ball teams over the past year, Australian Mike Hussey and former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara the early frontrunners.
Who could replace Mott?
Eoin Morgan
England’s 2019 World Cup-winning captain is the top choice but last week distanced himself from the position saying the timing wasn’t right and he was happy in his job as a TV analyst. No coaching experience but leadership skills unquestioned.
Andrew Flintoff
Like Morgan, he has next-to-no coaching experience having only just taken charge of Northern Superchargers in the Hundred. But is in the running after impressing players during time as a consultant with England’s white-ball teams over past few months.
Mike Hussey
Australian was part of Mott’s backroom team when England won the 2022 T20 World Cup Down Under in 2022. Current Welsh Fire head coach in the Hundred and has also been a batting coach in the Indian Premier League.
Kumar Sangakkara
The Sri Lankan has formed a close working relationship with England captain Jos Buttler at Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, where he is the director of cricket. His work at the IPL makes him one of the hottest white-ball coaches in the world.
Jonathan Trott
Former England batter has worked wonders with Afghanistan, guiding the country to the semi-finals of the recent T20 World Cup. It followed a good 50-over World Cup campaign at the end of last year in India where they beat England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Mott had been widely expected to leave his role this week before it was confirmed on Tuesday. “The ECB confirms Matthew Mott has stepped down as the England men’s white-ball head coach with immediate effect,” said a statement.
“Mott, who met with Rob Key, ECB’s Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, last week, will leave his role after two years in office. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will take charge on an interim basis for the rest of the home summer.”
Key said: “After three World Cup cycles in a short space of time, I now feel the team needs a new direction to prepare for the challenges ahead. This decision was not made lightly, but I believe it is the right time for the team’s future success.
“With our focus shifting towards the Champions Trophy early next year and the next cycle of white-ball competition, it is crucial that we ensure the team is focused and prepared.
“The search for a full-time replacement will now begin. It is essential we go through the right process to ensure we get the best person for the job.”
Mott added: “I am immensely proud to have coached England; it has been an honour. We have put everything into trying to achieve success over the past two years, and I am incredibly proud of the character and passion the team has displayed during that period, including a magnificent T20 World Cup victory in 2022.
“I would like to thank the players, management, and everyone at the ECB for their commitment, support, and hard work during my time. I leave with many great friendships and incredible memories.”
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