With immediate effect, Matthew Mott has resigned as the head coach of the England Men’s white-ball team.
Mott was halfway through a four-year deal that saw him oversee the team’s victory in the 2022 T20 World Cup as well as their inability to defend either the 50-over title they won in 2019 or the title this year at the 2023 tournament, where they won just three of their nine games.
For the remainder of the home summer, which includes three T20Is and five ODIs against Australia in September, assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will stand in for him.
As part of an investigation into the decline in the team’s limited-overs performances, Mott met with Rob Key, the ECB managing director of England men’s cricket, on Sunday to get his perspective on the previous nine months.
“I am immensely proud to have coached the England Men’s team; it has been an honour,” Mott said. “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.
“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. Finally, I would like to thank the England fans, who have always backed us and given us fantastic support wherever we have travelled around the world.”
In addition to leading England to series wins over Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Pakistan, Mott was appointed in May 2022. However, it seems that the choice was heavily influenced by England’s most recent campaign, in which they were eliminated by eventual victors India in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
Key announced that they would start looking for a full-time replacement right now. Trescothick’s friendship with white-ball skipper Jos Buttler, in his opinion, “will help us maintain continuity and stability”.
“On behalf of everyone connected to England cricket and me personally, I would like to thank Matthew for all he has done for the team since his appointment,” Key said. “He can be proud of his achievements as he leaves his post as one of only three coaches who have won a Men’s World Cup with England.
“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.”
Trescothick, added: “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.”
Reports that England’s former World Cup captain, Eoin Morgan, could take Mott’s place have been brushed off as “speculation” by the columnist.
Other candidates have been Andrew Flintoff, who is presently coaching in the men’s Hundred for Northern Superchargers for the first time, Mike Hussey, who was a member of the coaching staff for the successful 2022 T20 World Cup campaign, and Kumar Sangakkara. It is understood, therefore, that at this point, no potential Mott successors have been contacted.