Matthew Mott appointed as England men’s white-ball coach in ‘groundbreaking’ move

England has poached one of Australian cricket’s most successful coaches, appointing Matthew Mott as its new men’s white-ball mentor.

Australia captain Meg Lanning, coach Matthew Mott and Rachael Haynes. Photo by Phil Walter-ICC/ICC via Getty Images

The England and Wales Cricket Board have poached one of Australian cricket’s most successful coaches, appointing Matthew Mott as its new men’s white-ball mentor.

Mott, who represented Queensland and Victoria in the Sheffield Shield during his playing career, signed a four-year agreement with the three Lions this week, ending a trophy-laden stint as head coach of the Australian women’s team.

During Mott’s seven-year tenure, the national women’s side won two T20 World Cup titles, three Ashes series and two ICC Women’s Championships, also lifting the coveted Women’s World Cup in April this year.

Australia also broke the all-time record for most consecutive ODI victories during Mott’s tenure as head coach, winning 26 straight matches between 2018 and 2021.

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But Mott, who had arguably achieved everything he could with Meg Lanning’s powerhouse team, could not turn down the opportunity to help reigning champions England defend its Men’s World Cup crown in 2023.

The 48-year-old will partner with former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, who was appointed the England men’s Test coach earlier this month.

“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 in a statement.

“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.

“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.

“It was always going to take something special to leave the role that I have loved for the past seven years with the Australian Women’s team. However, I genuinely believe that the time is right to play a role in helping the England Men’s ODI and T20 group continue to evolve as one of the best teams in the world.

“I am fully aware that this team has been functioning well and part of my initial plan is to work with the playing group and support staff on how we can firstly maintain, then enhance, the success they have started to build over the past few years.

“Since the excitement of accepting this role, I, like many people around the world, have been trying to come to terms with the tragic loss of my great mate Andrew Symonds. The support of his beautiful family and close friends in the coming days will be vitally important, so I respectfully request some time to process his passing and the immense loss before making any further comment on the role at this stage.”

Matthew Mott celebrating the World Cup triumph. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Mott had previously overseen the New South Wales men’s team and Glamorgan in the English county system.

Former Australian all-rounder Shelley Nitschke, who has mentored the Perth Scorchers’ WBBL side since 2019, will serve as the national women’s team interim head coach for the upcoming short-format series in Northern Ireland and the highly-anticipated Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

England cricket’s new supremo Rob Key said Mott was the “standout candidate” for the role, which became available after Chris Silverwood was sacked as head coach earlier this year.

“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 in a statement.

“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.

“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.

“Furthermore, Matthew will also help us invest in English coaches getting them as much experience as possible over the next few years.”

Mott’s first major challenge will be this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, where England is scheduled to face the host nation in the group stage at the MCG on Saturday, October 28.

England have picked up an incredibly good coach in Matt Mott. Universally loved by his team and has turned Australia’s women into arguably the most dominant team in world sport.

Would have him $1.30 favourite to eventually replace Andrew McDonald as Australia’s men’s coach.

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) May 18, 2022

Honestly think the England men’s role will be a big challenge for Mott, whose recent success has been achieved in an environment where a) the captain calls the shots, b) there are unrivalled resources at his disposal (compared with other countries), and c) has Meg Lanning in it.

— Raf Nicholson (@RafNicholson) May 18, 2022

My main takeaway from Matthew Mott's appointment as Eng men's white-ball coach is defo a positive one: that his experience in women's cricket was integral to his appointment in a high profile men's role is groundbreaking. I hope it sets a precedent & that it's a two-way flow.

— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) May 18, 2022

Statement from Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley

“Matthew has played an instrumental role in the success of our incredible women’s team, driving a team-first mentality, and creating an environment that’s allowed the players to blossom into some of the world’s leading cricketers.

“Under Matthew’s leadership, the team has claimed every major trophy on offer and importantly, has inspired kids across the country to pick up a bat and ball.

“He should be proud of the legacy he’s helped create with our women’s team.

“We’d like to thank Matthew for everything he’s given Australian Cricket and wish him and his family all the best in this new venture.”

Statement from Ben Oliver, CA’s general manager of high performance and national teams

“Matthew’s appointment is richly deserved and reflects the global standing and dominance of the Australian women’s team which he has guided over the past seven years.

“We are grateful for the outstanding job that Matthew has done and while we will miss him, he leaves the team well set for sustained ongoing success. I would like to thank Matthew and we look forward to facing his new side in the men’s T20 World Cup later this year.”