S Poddar
After England’s semi-final loss to India in the T20 World Cup, Matthew Mott declared that his partnership with captain Jos Buttler was stronger than ever. He promised that, given more time, the team would return even stronger. However, just four weeks later, Mott has stepped down as head coach. Rob Key, the men’s team director, made this announcement after holding separate discussions with Mott and Buttler. With Marcus Trescothick stepping in as interim head coach, it seems clear that Buttler’s role as captain is secure for now.
Back in late 2022, Mott and Buttler were seen as a winning duo. England had united the two white-ball titles, following their 2019 50-over World Cup victory with a T20 triumph. Their win against Pakistan in the final seemed to promise a golden era for England’s limited-overs cricket, despite suspicions that their success was built on the foundation laid by their predecessors.
However, a packed schedule shifted the focus from bilateral series to global events. The first of these, the T20 World Cup in India, ended disastrously with England losing six out of seven group games. Buttler’s decision to bowl in extreme heat against South Africa, leading to a heavy defeat, raised concerns about his tactical choices. Despite these failures, Key decided to give Mott and Buttler another chance.
The T20 World Cup in the Caribbean was another disappointment. England won only one game against full member opposition, with players privately expressing confusion over mixed messages from the coaching staff. As Key sought feedback during the recent Test series against West Indies, it became clear that changes were needed.
Despite Buttler’s questionable decisions and subpar performances, he remains captain. Buttler’s status as one of England’s greatest white-ball batters, along with a lack of viable alternatives, seems to be keeping him in the role. England’s tight schedule means that Test players like Harry Brook cannot take over full-time, complicating the search for a new captain.
Key is banking on a new head coach to rejuvenate Buttler and lead the team to success in the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2027 World Cup. Potential candidates for the permanent head coach position include Trescothick, Kumar Sangakkara, Mike Hussey, and Kieron Pollard. Andrew Flintoff’s name has also been mentioned, but his close ties with Key and the ECB chairman may pose conflicts of interest.
Whoever takes the helm will need to form a strong partnership with Buttler, or else Key’s own decisions will come under scrutiny.
