Everyone has a responsibility, but no one will face consequences. This marks the start of England cricket 3.0, where the focus is on white ball cricket and the celebrations that come after. However, this is not the only aspect to consider. After announcing tour squads and completing executive briefings, it has been revealed that one individual will be held accountable for England’s disappointing performance in the 50-over World Cup.

Dawid Malan, the top scorer for England in their disappointing World Cup defense, has the highest batting average in England’s one-day international history. Despite this, he has been removed from the team in all formats. The blame for this situation lies with everyone involved and Dawid Malan will face consequences. However, this is deemed acceptable.

The concept of accountability seems to have been disregarded. The next aspect to be evaluated in England’s review following the World Cup is the issue of unclear communication, which was initially brought up by Eoin Morgan. This topic is frequently discussed, but what does it truly sound like in practice?

Rewind to Friday night at Eden Gardens, around 10:30pm, with the feeling that things are shifting and changing. Matthew Mott is at the bottom of a staircase, giving his first explanation for why England’s world champion team has been lacking motivation, drive, and strategy under his leadership. Here is a recap of his remarks on the matter.

We did what was necessary.

I am thoroughly impressed by the level of professionalism.

We were up against a tough challenge, but we managed to deliver some impressive performances.

We have made significant progress.

One week after experiencing losses to Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, India, South Africa, and Australia with significant margins, Mott expressed a strong sense of satisfaction regarding “character,” “coming back,” and (genuinely) “authentic leadership.” He mentioned determination and ability to bounce back. He declared, “I am extremely proud.”

This is acceptable. It is not Matthew Mott’s responsibility that he appears delusional when his words are written down. It is not Matthew Mott’s fault that he lacks the communication skills to prevent sounding this way.

What’s significant about Matthew Mott? He’s simply himself. Were you anticipating someone else? Certainly not Matthew Mott.

Similarly, Matthew Mott cannot be held responsible for his lack of obligation to clarify the downfall of a beloved team or acknowledge the emotional investment of England’s supporters and those who financially support the team. It is not his fault that his understanding of his role is insufficient to recognize the importance of sharing his “learnings” with the public. This is how the conversation went:

Matthew, you mentioned that you know the reason for England’s seventh place finish despite being champions. Would it be beneficial to share some of that insight? Could you enlighten us on two changes that could have potentially improved their ranking?

A No. No.

Do you not feel obligated as the England coach to discuss your perspective on the mistakes made?

A Whatever.

Is that really true? Is there absolutely no obligation to the public?

A No.

For the sake of being thorough, Mott also made a strange declaration in the midst of this, stating “I won’t be using clickbait.” The only appropriate reaction to this is to laugh with fondness and sincerity. Don’t worry, you’re not in danger of using clickbait. This content isn’t even enticing enough to be considered clickbait.

Why dwell on this? The feeling of disconnect, of lacking skill, of a person speaking from within another person’s world, reflects the overall atmosphere of England’s World Cup and cricket team.

The main takeaway from these exchanges is a useful illustration of how ambiguity can arise, directly from the source, highlighting the clear contrast between exceptional skill in sports and those who simply wear the team uniform. Is there any real advantage in pointing fingers at Mott for being Mott?

Surprisingly, Rob Key’s perspective seemed to align with this interpretation. England’s Managing Director of Men’s Cricket addressed the media in the morning, delivering not only a comprehensive review of the tournament and discussions about squad selection, but also a candid admission of fault.

Do not fault Matthew Mott. It is my decision to appoint him and restrict his potential as the best version of himself. I am an inexperienced administrator in a complex role, and my greatest strength is being honest about the challenges we face.

When the view is widened, the main idea remains unchanged – the feeling that English cricket is powerless. This organization is limited in its ability to make an impact and is constantly on the move, trying to catch up to the sun’s path around the world. Despite chaos and upheaval, it manages to stay afloat at the dinner table, with debris falling all around.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Key is that he has stumbled upon being quite skilled at his job. Even though he was hired based on a gut feeling and a friendship, he possesses the intelligence and gentlemanly approach to speak openly and provide a refreshingly honest assessment of events in India and the individuals involved.

Key stated that Mott’s primary responsibility is to enhance the skills of his players, but he has failed to do so. He emphasized the need to clearly define each player’s role, as it has been unclear under Mott’s leadership. He pointed out the absurdity of choosing to field first in the intense heat of Mumbai, a decision that even young players in the under-13 age group would know not to make. According to Key, Mott should have been aware of this. He also mentioned that the England team has lost their sense of identity and has not properly understood the dynamics of ODI cricket in India, while also overthinking their game strategy.

When you were anticipating the inevitable and uncertain moment of the axe falling, Key took responsibility by saying: it’s my fault. I selected this coaching team. I prioritized Tests. This is essentially our team. This is their performance. When you have Matthew Motts, you have to make the most out of it and turn it into a positive experience.

There was a subtle insinuation that Mott-Buttler will have another opportunity to potentially disappoint with the T20 World Cup approaching. This approach seems reasonable, as England has the ability to be competitive. By that time, the Mott-Key team may have found their groove.

However, the main concern that has been present in the past few months is the feeling that regardless of the quality of the coaching staff, the England World Cup has been heavily influenced by unseen external factors.

The issue at hand is a fundamental one. As Key has highlighted, the main concern for English cricket is not their record of six losses in nine matches, but rather the recent decision by Ben Stokes, the most valuable player for the England and Wales Cricket Board, to reject a three-year contract. The true cause of the players’ exhaustion and conflicting commitments is the ongoing disintegration of international cricket.

As the countdown to the ODI title defense continued, the ECB was pressured into chaotic and disruptive contract negotiations, which have overshadowed not only this World Cup but all future World Cups. The blame falls on everyone, yet no one is taking responsibility. Amidst all of this, Matthew Mott may deserve a fair chance.

Source: theguardian.com