Matthew Mott was appointed as England’s white ball coach to provide experience in case Eoin Morgan retires early, Rob Key reveals…with the director also backing Jofra Archer to play test cricket again
- Matthew Mott was in charge of the Australian women’s squad for seven years
- He was a surprise appointment as England white ball coach by Rob Key in May
- He quickly adapted to working with Jos Buttler when Eoin Morgan stepped down
- Key’s first three months were marked by a turning point for Test fortunes
Rob Key has admitted he hired Matthew Mott as England’s white ball coach because he wanted an experienced figurehead in case Eoin Morgan retires early.
Mott, who ran the all-conquering Australian women’s squad for seven years, was given a surprise appointment in May and had to quickly adjust to working with Jos Buttler when Morgan stepped down after the tour of the Netherlands.
England lost their T20 series to India last week, before collapsing to a 10-wicket defeat in the first ODI at The Oval on Tuesday.
Mott (right) ran the all-conquering Australian women’s squad for seven years
Key insisted, “One of the reasons I wanted someone with experience was in case Eoin Morgan gave up. When I walked in, he pretty much ran the whole set up. But he never gave that guarantee of ‘I will be there for the World Cup’.
‘That became part of the decision-making process. This team can really run itself with Morgan: what’s the best way to do it when he’s not around? That’s why Matthew Mott.’
Key, whose first three months as general manager were marked by a dramatic turnaround for England’s Test fortunes, also supported injured fast bowler Jofra Archer to play Test cricket again.