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Hussain: Mott's a top signing for England

Ian ChadbandAAP
England cricket luminaries say Matthew Mott's appointment as national white-ball coach is good news.
Camera IconEngland cricket luminaries say Matthew Mott's appointment as national white-ball coach is good news. Credit: AAP

He's already won two T20 World Cups, plus a 50-over global crown too - and now English cricket is backing Matthew Mott to do for their men's white-ball team what he did for Australia's women.

Nasser Hussain has led the chorus of approval in England over the appointment of a 46-year-old coach who he believes moulded one of the greatest teams in sport in his seven years at the helm of the all-conquering Australian women's side.

Mott was officially unveiled as England men's white-ball coach on Wednesday, hailed as "the outstanding candidate" by England's director of men's cricket Rob Key, as he was selected ahead of home candidates led by the initial favourite, Paul Collingwood.

But it was quickly made clear that a lot is going to be expected of the "exceptional" Queenslander.

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"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," said Key.

That is a big ask, as Mott led an era of unprecedented dominance for Australia in the women's game over seven years, having held the Ashes throughout that period, winning back-to-back T20 World Cups in 2018 and 2020 and lifting the 50-over trophy last month.

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But former England captain Hussain is confident Mott can deliver.

"He's a really good choice, an exceptional coach, who's had a lot of success at New South Wales and knows English and Welsh cricket inside out, having played here," Hussain said on Sky Sports.

"He took a good Australian women's side and made them into a great side, arguably the greatest women's cricket team there's ever been - and there are encouraging signs there with the England (men's) side.

"Rob Key wanted someone to come in and not just put the cones down for Eoin Morgan. He wanted someone who was going to push England's white-ball team even further - and I think that's exactly what Matthew Mott will do. A really good appointment."

Collingwood had led Test and limited-overs series in the West Indies this winter and was tipped to land the job full-time.

Yet, as with the Test team which will now be overseen by ex-New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, England have plumped for Antipodean adventure.

But Key still wants to keep Collingwood involved. "He was fine, Colly. He's always been a massive supporter of England and he's desperate to help out Matthew Mott and Brendon McCullum," he said.

"The players are sometimes the most brutal judges and all of them speak very highly of Paul Collingwood.

"He is in the system. He is an asset in our environment, but where he's going to be for the whole summer, I don't think we know until the coaches come in."

Mott admitted it had taken "something special" to prise him away from the Australian women's team job, which he had loved.

"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," he said.

Key was adamant that Mott's excellence in the women's game should not be underestimated.

"He has made the gap greater between Australia and the rest of the pack in the women's game," said Key.

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