Tag: Matthew Mott

Kumar Sangakkara breaks silence on England coaching role

Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara opened up on the reports regarding him being the potential contender to become England’s white-ball head coach.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Sangakkara, alongside legendary all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was in contention to become England’s white-ball coach.

The former wicketkeeper batter, however, revealed that he was not approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) before terming it an “exciting prospect”.

“Well, I know [my name] has been mentioned for some reason, but there has not been any approach as such,” Sangakkara, a member of Sky Sports’ commentary team for The Hundred, told Britain’s PA news agency.

“I think the England white-ball job is an exciting prospect for anyone, but there are so many good candidates out there. I think Matthew Mott has done a really good job,” he added.

For the unversed, Kumar Sangakkara has worked with England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler at Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

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He further backed Buttler to continue leading England in the limited-over formats.

“It is great that Jos Buttler is staying in that leadership role as the side progresses because it is a nice time from what the side is –- and was –- and how it wants to progress in the future,” he said.

“I think the decision making in the England camp has been spot on. I really love the leadership that Rob Key has provided…I think he has been a really smart, practical man, very commonsensical in terms of how he makes decisions and very forward-thinking in how he has set the vision for England cricket,” he added.

For the unversed, the ECB confirmed on Tuesday that Matthew Mott has stepped down as the national men’s white-ball head coach with immediate effect.

The decision follows England’s recent ICC T20 World Cup campaign, where the team was knocked out at the semi-final stage by eventual winners India.

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.

Appointed in May 2022, the 50-year-old Mott enjoyed immediate success, leading the team to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in the autumn of 2022.

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Matthew Mott steps down as England’s coach, replacement named

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Tuesday that Matthew Mott has stepped down as the national men’s white-ball head coach with immediate effect.

The decision follows England’s recent ICC T20 World Cup campaign, where the team was knocked out at the semi-final stage by eventual winners India.

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.

Appointed in May 2022, the 50-year-old Mott enjoyed immediate success, leading the team to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in the autumn of 2022.

Under his leadership, England achieved white-ball series victories against Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Pakistan.

Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will take charge on an interim basis for the rest of the home summer.

In September, the team will play a white-ball series against Australia, which includes three T20Is and five ODIs from 11 to 29 September.

Rob Key expressed gratitude towards Mott for his services to the English cricket during his two-year tenure as the head coach.

“On behalf of everyone connected to England cricket and me personally, I would like to thank Matthew [Mott] for all he has done for the team since his appointment,” said Key.

“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.

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“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.”

Key then announced that Trescothick will lead the side until the board finds a full-time replacement for Mott.

“Marcus Trescothick is well respected in the dressing room and will take charge of team affairs alongside white-ball captain Jos Buttler,” added Key.

“The search for a full-time replacement will now begin. It is essential that we go through the right process to ensure we get the best person for the job.”

Matthew Mott shared that he is honored to serve England as the head coach and thanked the board as well as players and his support staff.

“I am immensely proud to have coached the England Men’s team; 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 that the team has displayed during that period, including a magnificent T20 World Cup victory in 2022,” said Mott.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Trescothick expressed his excitement to serve in the role of interim head coach.

“I am looking forward to working with Jos Buttler, the players and coaches over the next few weeks. The focus is building towards the series against Australia and our plans for next year’s Champions Trophy campaign,” stated Trescothick.

“England cricket is in a strong position, and the potential is huge, given the quality we have available. It is about harnessing that potential and developing the work that has already been put in place by Matthew Mott and the rest of the set-up. I’m excited about the challenge and shaping how we want to play.”

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England coach opens up on Josh Hazlewood’s comments

England head coach Matthew Mott has reacted to the comments made by Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood recently.

Hazlewood, after Australia’s nine-wicket victory over Namibia, hinted at the possibility of exploiting England’s difficulty in the tournament in the post-match press conference.

England are in a tough situation, pertaining to their qualification to the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 as they are fourth in Group B with just one point in two matches.

“We’ve had some real struggles against them [England] in T20 cricket, so if we can get them out of the tournament, that’s in our best interest as well as probably everyone else’s I think,” stated Hazlewood.

However, the English coach stated that Australians have a mindset to win every game and expressed hope that Hazlewood was just ‘having fun.’

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“I am very much hoping it was an off-hand remark by a really good bloke who is having fun. Having grown up in Australia and the will to win every game, I am sure they will come to the fore,” Matthew Mott said.

“Knowing Josh, he has got a pretty dry sense of humour. I am hoping it was very much tongue in cheek.”

Notably, Australia will face Scotland in their last group-stage fixture which could decide England’s fate in the T20 World Cup 2024 even if they manage to beat Oman and Namibia in their remaining group matches.

Hazlewood’s comments hint at the possibility of Australia winning their match against Scotland with a narrow margin to knock England out of the tournament on net run-rate.

However, if they proceed with this tactic, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh may get banned for two matches ahead of the Super Eight stage, where each team will play three matches.

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Matthew Mott appointed as England Men’s white-ball coach

LONDON: Former Australian cricketer and the head coach of the Australian Women’s Cricket Team, Matthew Motts, has been appointed as the head coach of the England white-ball head coach, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Wednesday.

Mott, 48, has signed a four-year-long contract with the ECB, and an away three-match ODI series against the Netherlands, is expected to be his first assignment as England’s white-ball head coach.

Former Aussie cricketer Mott has worked with the Australian Women’s Cricket Team since 2015 and has overseen one of the world’s best winning records across international sport during his tenure. The Australian side won consecutive ICC T20 World Cups, this year’s ICC Women’s 50-Over World Cup and are undefeated in four Ashes series.

Mott has also assisted Australia to win 26 consecutive one-day internationals, a record in either the men’s or women’s game.

According to the details, the ECB’s selection panel of Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison, Managing Director of England’s Men’s Cricket Rob Key, Strategic Adviser Andrew Strauss and Performance Director Mo Bobat unanimously agreed that McCullum is an outstanding candidate for the role, having impressed during the competitive interview process.

Commenting on Mott’s appointment, the newly appointed managing director of ECB Rob Key talked to the media and said that Mott is a perfect fit for the appointment, having been involved in international cricket.

“It is a real privilege to be able to announce Mathew Mott as the Head Coach of our men’s white-ball team. He has had an incredible coaching journey with so many varied experiences that have brought him to this point where he was outstanding in the interview process and the perfect fit for our white-ball teams,” Key said.

“We are lucky to be able to appoint a Head Coach that has not only been involved in international cricket for the last few years but he has also worked in franchise cricket around the world. More importantly, what he has done with the Australian Women’s team is what will be asked of him to achieve for our men’s white-ball sides,” he added.

The ECB Managing Director further expressed his confidence in the captain Eoin Morgan and coach Mott and believe that the partnership can push for more trophies in the coming years.

“I’m confident that in Eoin Morgan and Matthew Mott, we have a formidable partnership that can push for more trophies in the coming years and that Matthew will be able to oversee any transition that team will go through in the future,” he concluded.

Mott expressed his delight at his new position, noting that while being an Australian, he has strong ties to the United Kingdom and that the opportunity to work with a well-established team drew him in.

“I am delighted to accept the opportunity to take this white-ball role with England. Whilst I am Australian, I have deep connections, and several of my closest friends are in the UK, having spent considerable time in Scotland, Wales and England, both as a player and coach,” Mott said.

“When this role became available, I was attracted by the chance to work with such an established and successful team under the astute leadership of Eoin Morgan and now Rob Key, whom I have always admired as an excellent cricket mind,” he added.

The former Australian coach also praised the idea of split roles and shared that he is enthusiastic to work alongside the red-ball coach Brendon McCullum.

“The idea of the split roles and the chance to work alongside Brendon McCullum in his red-ball role is an opportunity that I am incredibly enthusiastic about and certainly provides the right balance for my family as we embark on this exciting journey,” he concluded.

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