Rob Key: Appointment of Matthew Mott on assumption Eoin Morgan was stepping down

Rob Key revealed his appointment of Matthew Mott as England’s limited-overs coach was based on the assumption Eoin Morgan was on the verge of international retirement.

A combination of form and fitness concerns led to the 2019 World Cup-winning captain last month abruptly ending his England career, just a matter of weeks after Mott took up his new position.

Key, the managing director of England men’s cricket, recognised Morgan had a lot of control over the white-ball sides but his inkling the 35-year-old would soon depart influenced him turning to Mott.

With Mott taking Australia Women to the next level as holders of the Ashes and both World Cups, Key felt the Queenslander was the outstanding candidate to usher in the post-Morgan era.

Key said: “One of the reasons I wanted someone with experience was in case Eoin Morgan gave it up. When I came in, he pretty much ran that entire set-up.

“He never gave that guarantee of ‘I will definitely be there for the World Cup’ (in India next year). That became part of the decision-making process.

“This team really can run itself with Eoin Morgan (but) what’s the best way to do it when he’s not there? That’s why (we appointed) Matthew Mott.

“I wasn’t expecting this, but it was part of the thinking.”

Every time I watch England play, as well as we’re doing at times, I think we’re still a better side with Jofra Archer coming into it- Rob Key

Mott has had mixed results since taking charge, having started with a 3-0 one-day international clean sweep of the Netherlands before some poor batting displays in a 2-1 Twenty20 series loss to India.

The ongoing ODI series against Rohit Sharma’s side is the first time Mott has had something approaching a full-strength squad to choose from, with the