Had a feeling Eoin Morgan could quit, so hired Matthew Mott as white-ball coach: Rob Key

Jul 15, 2022

Had a feeling Eoin Morgan could quit, so hired Matthew Mott as white-ball coach: Rob Key Image

Eoin Morgan could have stepped down as the white-ball captain at any time, according to England Men's Cricket managing director Rob Key. For this reason, Matthew Mott's hiring as coach was hurried along with the hope that the Australian coach would be able to stabilise the team in the event of the cricketer's departure. 

According to Key, there was concern that if Morgan departed international cricket, there may be a void left behind. As a result, Mott, the head coach of the Australian women's team at the time, was appointed to stabilise the side.

In case Eoin Morgan gave it up, I wanted someone with experience, Key remarked, who was appointed managing director of England men's cricket in April. 

"He (Morgan) had pretty much completed the setup by the time I arrived. He never stated that he would "certainly" be present for the World Cup, and that became a factor in the choice. Thanks to Eoin Morgan, this team practically ran itself. When he isn't present, what is the wisest course of action? Because of Matthew Mott. This surprised me, but it was part of my thinking "revealed Key to The Guardian newspaper.

Key arrived at a critical juncture for England red-ball cricket, with the team led by then-captain Joe Root losing the Ashes 0-4 and the away series against the West Indies 1-0. Finding coaching teams for red- and white-ball cricket as well as a full-time selector became Key's priority because so many things were going on at once, he said. 

At that period Chris Silverwood was replaced as the England red-ball coach by former New Zealand batter Brendon McCullum, and Mott was appointed shortly after.

Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow are currently playing for England in the ODI series against India. Key stated he was not very concerned about their workload. The three have played four back-to-back Tests, three against New Zealand and the fifth Test at Edgbaston, which has been rescheduled, against India. 

With so many fast bowlers out injured, he claimed that the bowling department was the issue. 

Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and your quick bowlers are the ones "(where) it becomes an issue," Key added. "If they are all healthy, you will have a problem and must decide if they can play in every Test match. Can they participate in every softball game? However, none of them are currently healthy."

Jofra Archer, an England tearaway bowler who has been sidelined due to a stress fracture in his lower back, will likely return to competitive cricket and play all forms, according to Key. 

"I'm hoping he'll be part of everything. I won't alter my opinion on that unless someone with significantly more knowledge about backs and injuries (tells me otherwise), " Key.