MATTHEW MOTT’S sacking as England white-ball coach creates the intriguing prospect of Freddie Flintoff getting the job.
Mott was dumped two years into a four-year deal and former England opener Marcus Trescothick has been appointed interim coach for the rest of the summer.
It is probably worth saying at the start that Flintoff is unlikely to succeed Mott with men such as Mike Hussey, Jonathan Trott, Eoin Morgan and even Brendon McCullum more credible options.
But Flintoff is definitely a contender after working as a consultant/mentor with the limited-over squad over the past year.
The man known as Freddie was a hit with most of the players and they are slightly in awe of him after growing up watching or hearing of his Ashes heroics in 2005.
Crucially, though, Flintoff did not particularly gel with captain Jos Buttler, who has kept his job in team supremo Rob Key’s reshuffle.
Flintoff attended several days of last summer’s Ashes series as a spectator virtually in disguise and then worked with England age-group teams.
Invited by his close friend Key, he first helped the England senior squad in a white-ball series against New Zealand.
It was a way of returning to public life in familiar surroundings after his near-fatal car accident in December 2022 while filming for Top Gear.
He worked again with England during the winter, most recently in the Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean last month.
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Then he was appointed coach of Northern Superchargers in the Hundred – a sign that England regard him as a potential future national coach.
Until recently, Flintoff had no coaching experience and had been out of the game for several years.
His charisma and star quality count in his favour but his reluctance to deal with the media would be a problem. England coaches must speak to the media, who are the conduit between the team and the public.
Flintoff still seems to believe he had a raw deal from the press during his playing days when, in fact, he was praised and built up more than almost any other player.
Mott was coach when England won the T20 World Cup in Australia in November 2022 but, in subsequent 50-over and T20 global campaigns, England won just three matches out of 11 against Test nations.
Key said: “I feel the team needs a new direction to prepare for the challenges ahead. This decision was not made lightly, but I believe it is the right time for the team’s future success.
“With our focus shifting towards the Champions Trophy early next year and the next cycle of white-ball competition, it is crucial we ensure the team is focused and prepared.”
Buttler is lucky to survive after a string of poor tactical decisions that include bowling first against South Africa on a boiling day in Mumbai in the 50-over World Cup.
Other blunders in the T20 tournament were opening the bowling with part-time spinner Will Jacks against two Aussie left-handers hitting with the wind and bowling first in the semi-final against India.
Buttler has a close relationship with Trescothick, who has been batting coach with the Test team, through their Somerset connections.
Trescothick could secure the role permanently if England go well against the Aussies in September. He is happier travelling and spending time away from home than in the past.
McCullum might be persuaded to add the white-ball job to his Test role on a short-term basis and Hussey has worked with England. Trott has been a success as Afghanistan coach.
Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara, who coaches Buttler’s IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, is another possibility.
Morgan is an obvious candidate but insists he is happy working as a TV commentator – for the time being.
