Following England’s semi-final loss to India in last month’s men’s T20 World Cup—a match marred by tactical blunders—Matthew Mott expressed that his collaboration with Jos Buttler had been “galvanised” during the campaign. He stated that, if given the opportunity, the team would return “bigger, badder and better.”
However, four weeks later, Mott’s faith in their partnership as head coach and captain has not been reciprocated. Rob Key, the director of the men’s team, conducted separate discussions with both individuals before announcing on Tuesday that Mott had “stepped down.” Buttler remains as captain, while Marcus Trescothick assumes the role of interim head coach for the upcoming Australia series in September, implying Buttler’s implicit agreement.
Rewinding to late 2022, their collaboration was seen as a winning formula—England clinched both white-ball titles, following up their 2019 50-over World Cup win under Eoin Morgan and Trevor Bayliss with a T20 victory. The victory against Pakistan in the final marked a glorious night at the MCG, and although there were lingering doubts regarding the foundations laid by their predecessors—having come together just six months earlier—it seemed England’s golden era in limited-overs cricket was poised to continue.
Amid a packed schedule, the focus shifted away from bilateral performances to major global events. However, the first of the two titles was lost in a dismal manner during the winter in India, with the team’s six defeats in seven “live” group matches epitomised by a heavy defeat against South Africa in Mumbai. In that match, Buttler chose to bowl in blistering 37.5C heat, resulting in a stunning 109 from Heinrich Klaasen, leaving his players in disarray. “It was probably hotter than we gave it credit for,” Mott admitted, raising alarms.
Key, who initially recruited Mott to maintain the good momentum alongside Morgan, attempted to absorb the blame for the dismal performance in India, attributing it to an aging squad and the diversion of resources to the Test team. He offered both Mott and Buttler another chance. The subsequent T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, though not exactly a do-or-die scenario due to the format’s volatility, still saw England struggle—three defeats and only one victory against full-member teams, with victories against associate nations barely covering up the lack of advancement.
Players returned from the tour expressing private frustrations about the messaging; they felt a contradiction between the supposed freedom to play their game and the strict, prescriptive instructions they received. When Key began seeking opinions during the recent Test series against West Indies, the existing dynamics proved unsustainable, although the blame was not directly laid at Mott’s feet in this aspect.
Critical questions arise regarding why Buttler has been allowed to continue—what motivates him to continue—and why Mott, a capable coach, has been the one to depart. Coaches are often seen as more replaceable, yet Buttler has not seemed to enjoy the captaincy lately.
Once hailed as England’s greatest white-ball batsman, Buttler’s poor performances in the past two World Cups have hindered the team. His decision-making has also been suspect; for instance, that toss in Mumbai, or the decision to start the bowling with Will Jacks against Australia in the T20 group stage despite the short boundary, and in the semi-final against India, he neglected to bowl Moeen Ali on a spinning pitch despite having four seamers at his disposal.
Leading from behind the stumps, requiring him to dash to converse with bowlers, likely hasn’t helped Buttler even if he dismisses this concern. His dismissive attitude has echoed through his media interactions: while engaging with the media is just a fraction of the job, successful captains, like Morgan, use these opportunities to communicate their message to the public rather than merely respond to inquiries.
As a coveted talent in the franchise circuit, a double World Cup winner, and approaching 34 in September, the captaincy might be the reason Buttler remains within the England setup. This could also hinge on his determination and the absence of suitable alternatives. England is ripe for a refresh in their white-ball squad, but the congested schedule limits those in the Test team from stepping in. For instance, Harry Brook cannot participate in every series, and bilateral white-ball tours are likely to be the first to be omitted.
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These factors are less than ideal as a foundation for Key’s vision of a “new direction,” yet he evidently believes that a fresh head coach can tap into Buttler’s potential and that the Champions Trophy next year will provide clarity. Since it will be a 50-over tournament, it should genuinely serve as a testing ground for the 2027 World Cup, by which point Buttler will be 37. Nevertheless, the cricketing landscape could shift significantly by then, especially with the rise of franchise leagues.
If Trescothick is interested in the head coach position permanently, he will be a frontrunner to impress at the summer’s conclusion, bolstered by his strong rapport with Buttler from their Somerset days. Other contenders being considered include Kumar Sangakkara, Buttler’s director of cricket at Rajasthan Royals, Mike Hussey, who served as a consultant during England’s T20 victory in Australia, and Kieron Pollard, who provided Buttler with tactical advice during the Caribbean tour.
Andrew Flintoff was also part of that tour, and while his return to cricket post-accident in 2022 has been encouraging, appointing him could pose challenges due to his friendship with Key and the potential conflict of interest given that Richard Thompson, chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board, has acted as his agent in the past. Morgan, who is enjoying commentary and family time post-retirement, has already ruled himself out. Andy Flower, who has found success in the franchise circuit following his time with England, might be a stronger option.
Regardless of who takes on the role, the dearth of willing candidates, largely due to the liberating and lucrative T20 positions, means Key will need to ensure that the new coach aligns with Buttler to avoid questions regarding his own decision-making.
