The England cricket team is preparing for an IPL reunion as they aim to revamp their coaching staff. Reports indicate that current white-ball head coach Matthew Mott will depart next week, prompting England to seek another high-profile name for their coaching unit.
Despite a disappointing 2023 ODI World Cup and failing to reach the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, England reportedly plan to retain Jos Buttler as captain. However, his boss at Rajasthan Royals, Kumar Sangakkara, is reportedly a leading candidate for the head coach role.
According to The Telegraph UK, Sangakkara, who has been the Director of Cricket for Rajasthan Royals since January 2021 and led them to an IPL final, is one of the favorites to replace Mott. Buttler has thrived under Sangakkara’s guidance at the Royals, potentially forming a familiar bond with him as the head of the England cricket team.
Other candidates include former Australia batsman Michael Hussey and Afghanistan head coach and former England batsman Jonathan Trott. Trott has achieved significant success with Afghanistan, including a sixth-place finish in the 2023 ODI World Cup and reaching the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Hussey, already familiar with the English dressing room, served as their batting coach from 2022 to 2023.
The report also mentions that former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is unlikely to remain in the race for the head coach role.
England have found success and an aggressive identity in Tests under Brendon McCullum’s coaching. With the new appointment, they aim to return to the top of white-ball cricket.
