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Follow UsEngland’s prestigious white-ball coaching job is yet again up for grabs.
On July 30 (Tuesday), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that the 2022 T20 World Cup-winning head coach, Matthew Mott, has stepped down from his role as the head coach.
The move comes after two disappointments, one at the ODI World Cup in 2023 and a T20 World Cup in 2024. England’s Director of Cricket, Rob Key, said that the team was looking in a ‘new direction’, so who can guide them in that direction?
Coaching experience: Currently head coach of Northern Superchargers
There’s a reason Andrew Flintoff is a favourite for the job: he understands England cricket and the pressure that comes with it the best. While he is still in his early days as head coach at the Northern Superchargers, Flintoff's influence on the dressing room has been huge, with Matthew Short hailing him as a modern-day coach.
"From what I've heard, he's a bit of the modern-day coach now, especially in white-ball cricket. It feels like he's got a lot of fun and a lot of energy to bring. He's going to be nice and relaxed, and I'm sure it's going to be a really nice environment," Short said.
Since last year, Flintoff has been a constant around in the England dressing room, helping the team during the 2023 Ashes before being part of Mott’s setup during various different white-ball tours. He’s also worked closely with the Lions’ setup and the Under-19s side, where his experience has helped the younger players.
Coaching Experience: Head coach of the Welsh Fire (2023 onwards), Batting coach with Chennai Super Kings (2018 onwards), Director of Cricket with Sydney Thunder (2018), Batting consultant (England senior team in T20 World Cup 2022)
While Mike Hussey dreads the nickname ‘Mr. Cricket’, the aforementioned gigs definitely defend the nickname. Hussey has experience of coaching teams all over the world, including grooming and shaping talents consistently every year at the Indian Premier League for Chennai Super Kings.
Someone who is well-revered in the English dressing room, thanks to his gig as the batting coach during the T20 World Cup 2022 campaign, Hussey brings about the ‘right amount’ of calmness required in the Three Lions setup. Given his illustrious CV, he could be a right fit.
Coaching Experience: Head coach and Director of Cricket at Rajasthan Royals (2021 onwards)
Hailing from a sporting family, Kumar Sangakkara was destined for cricketing greatness at a very young age. The rest is history as Sangakkara went on to become one of the most decorated players that the sport has ever seen.
Sangakkara didn’t stop there. In 2021, he became the head coach of Rajasthan Royals and transformed the franchise’s fortunes. Under his leadership, the franchise reached its first-ever IPL final since 2008 (2022) and have been one of the well-hyped outfits where he has worked closely with Jos Buttler.
Given that Buttler is set to continue as the captain, there’s a good chance that he could come calling for Sangakkara’s presence in the dressing room.
Coaching Experience: Batting coach of England team (2021 onwards), Interim head coach (2024 onwards)
Obviously, the list can’t be without Marcus Trescothick, the incumbent for England’s top job. Trescothick has been with the national side since 2021 when he took up the role of the Three Lion’s batting coach.
Ever since, the left-hander has been a constant part of the dressing room and England’s success. With Mott leaving, Trescothick was appointed as the interim head coach for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia.
Trescothick could very well do a Gareth Southgate here!
Left field choices? Give me some!
Coaching Experience: Batting coach of England (T20 World Cup 2024), Batting coach of Mumbai Indians (2023 onwards)
While he might not be the front-runner for England’s top job, Kieron Pollard will definitely be a name that will be dropped a few times during the meeting to pick England’s future head coach.
Having worked with the national team during their run to the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024, Pollard has gained enough experience in the white-ball setup. He has also been part of the Mumbai Indians setup as a batting coach.
Coaching Experience: Bowling coach of Chennai Super Kings (2022 onwards), Bowling consultant for Afghanistan (2024 onwards)
Another West Indian who understands white-ball cricket to perfection, Dwayne Bravo is yet another outside-shot contender for the top job. With no past experience as a head coach, Bravo might just have to wait his time.
Coaching Experience: Head coach of Afghanistan (2022 onwards), Head coach of Pretoria Capitals (2025 onwards)
In just two global events, Jonathan Trott, the head coach, has turned heads, taking Afghanistan to greater heights. If they narrowly missed out on a qualification spot in the 2023 ODI World Cup, they sealed their first-ever semi-final spot in the T20 World Cup 2024.
“Jonathan [Trott] is one of the best coaches that we have worked with,” Gurbaz credited the Englishman in an exclusive interview with Cricket.com
“He’s a really hard worker and strict. I love that he is strict with us because that helps us improve. He just tells everyone to work hard and practise well. So, yes, he is a very good coach, and I can say that he is why Afghanistan cricket is at this level,” he added.
Could they find a way to get him back to the English setup?
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