Eoin Morgan ‘has been a class player for over 200 games, and I don’t think that’s going to change’, Matthew Mott backs England captain to rediscover form this summer – as white-ball coach insists skipper’s poor Holland series will ‘light the fire’ inside him
- England captain Eoin Morgan had two ducks in Holland before missing third ODI
- England’s new white-ball coach Matthew Mott believes it will motivate batter
- International summer ODI challenges come in the form of India and South Africa
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England’s new white-ball coach Matthew Mott believes Eoin Morgan‘s quiet tour of Holland will ‘light the fire’ ahead of testing series against India and South Africa this summer.
England beat the Dutch 3-0, hitting a total of 985 runs at 8.47 an over, the fastest-scoring series by any team in ODI history. There were centuries for Phil Salt, Dawid Malan, Jos Buttler and Jason Roy, and – in the first game – a world-record 498 for four.
But Morgan, who was already short of runs when he arrived in Amsterdam, made ducks in each of the first two matches, then sat out the third because of a groin strain – inviting further speculation about his place in the limited-overs batting line-up ahead of the T20 World Cup in the autumn.
Eoin Morgan has been backed to overcome his recent poor form versus India and South Africa
Australian Matthew Mott was installed as England’s new white-ball coach back in May
‘He’d love more runs – most batters do,’ said Mott.
‘He’s been a class player for over 200 games, and I don’t think that’s going to change. Having sat out the third game, I’m sure that will light the fire a little bit for him for the huge summer ahead.
‘What I have worked out is that Eoin is an inspirational leader, and we’ve already developed a great rapport. With Jos stepping in as captain and seamlessly transitioning, the team is functioning very well.’
Even so, Mott – whose last job was as coach of the dominant Australian women’s team – wants to push England even further. They are currently second in both the one-day and T20 rankings, but can go top twice over if they beat India in the two formats next month.
Morgan made ducks in each of the first two matches vs Holland before missing the third ODI
‘It’s very early to be making too many big statements, but I definitely think this team is capable of more,’ said Mott, whose team in Holland was for various reasons missing Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer.
Mott was also excited about the number of high-class left-arm seamers in English cricket, with the 14-man squad in the Netherlands including five alone. Only Nottinghamshire’s Luke Wood remains uncapped.
‘It’s always gold to be able to change angles and come at the batter from different points of view,’ said the England coach.
‘Having a bank of left-armers is pretty unique – and to play three in a game is something special.’
Nottinghamshire’s Luke Wood remains the only uncapped left-arm seamer in English cricket
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