- author, Matthew Henry
- role, BBC sports reporter in Barbados
If you’ve come here to avoid a debate about the future of an England team struggling in major tournaments, you’ve come to the wrong place.
For Gareth Southgate, see Jos Buttler and Matthew Mott.
England suffered a heartbreaking defeat to India in the semi-final in Guyana, bringing an end to their reign as T20 World Cup champions.
In many ways, it told us what we already knew: that England struggle on slow, low pitches and that their bowling attack is not at an elite level.
But at the same time, the tournament leaves open questions: Are England strong, and are Mott and Buttler the right men to lead England back to the top of the white-ball world?
Those lingering questions are a problem for coaches and captains.
Only a few days ago it felt like England were at a turning point, their leading duo looking as if they had escaped the ghosts of their disappointing defence of last year’s 50-over World Cup.
Reaching the semifinals would have been considered a respectable effort in another world.
But losing by 68 runs brought those demons back to the fore, especially in a tournament where three of their four wins have come against Namibia, Oman and the United States.
England are currently without a white-ball trophy for the first time in five years.
England men’s cricket managing director Rob Key will now have to decide whether Buttler and Mott are good enough to remain for the next tournament, the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February.
The lack of other options strengthens Butler’s argument.
Harry Brook is the only realistic candidate of suitable age and is guaranteed a place in the XI.
Some have questioned whether the job is suited to the 25-year-old, but he has experience having led Yorkshire four times in the T20 Blast and England at the Under-19 World Cup.
The captaincy doesn’t seem to come as naturally to Buttler as it did to his predecessor and close friend Eoin Morgan.
Talk to those close to Buttler and they insist he is the right man for the job – someone with a level head, a clever cricketing brain and the ability to lead by example as England’s best white-ball batsman.
India made some big mistakes last year, including the toss decisions against Mumbai and Afghanistan, the odd change in team selection and Buttler’s decision to give part-timer Will Jacks the second over against Australia this tournament – which he said was a “gut feeling” at the time.
But he also deserves praise for other moves, such as the change of pitch during England’s impressive win over the West Indies.
When England arrived in Antigua that week, trailing only one point against Scotland and with a huge net run-rate disadvantage, they could collapse, as they did in India last year when they lost to Afghanistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka in an 11-day span.
That campaign completely collapsed. This time, the campaign has stabilized and gotten back on track, albeit against a weaker opponent.
Buttler, who led England to victory alongside Mott in 2022, will presumably be entitled to choose whether he wants to continue.
Motte’s position is less certain simply because head coaches are easier to replace.
Former England batsman Jonathan Trott did not tarnish his reputation by leading Afghanistan to the semi-finals.
The task before Mr. Mott is also not one he was called upon to perform.
When Morgan took over, he was captain and England’s white-ball team was at its best, and Mott was asked to repeat what she had achieved with Australia’s women’s team – dominating for long periods and staying at the top of the game.
His England side now need to revamp their squad ahead of the T20 World Cups in India and Sri Lanka in 2026 and the 50-over finals in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia a year later.
Chris Jordan and Moeen Ali, aged 35 and 36 respectively, are the most appreciated members of this team who should depart, with Moeen saying last year that he should not be part of the 50-over team going forward.
Jonny Bairstow, 34, has had some good batting performances at times but has only managed a combined 23 runs against Australia, South Africa and India, leaving him with a tough decision to make.
Selection of this summer’s Test squad has been postponed until after the World Cup due to the potential for uncomfortable discussions.
If Bairstow is not selected for the series against West Indies on July 10, it cannot be ruled out that the Yorkshireman could play his final international match.
England can only hope that leg-spinner Adil Rashid does not follow fellow bowler Moeen into retirement: 10 wickets at an average of 19 and an economy of under seven mean that, at 36, he is still one of the best players in the world.
He, Buttler, who will turn 36 in the next T20 World Cup, and Archer, along with youngsters Brook and Phil Salt, should form the core of the team going forward.
Afterwards, the cupboard that once housed Alex Hales, David Malan and Sam Billings looks a little lonely.
If any batsman had been injured in the tournament, untried 29-year-old Tom Kohler-Cadmore would have been one of the next favourites.
England’s famous white-ball lineup is not as deep as it once was.
Their next limited-overs series begins in September, a day after the conclusion of the third Test against Sri Lanka, before the Test players leave for Pakistan.
Of course, there will be changes and a look at last year’s central team signing list will give an idea of who could be in the mix.
Fast bowlers Gus Atkinson and Brydon Kearse – the latter of whom will by then be serving a three-month suspension for gambling offences – are expected to be in the squad going forward, along with Hampshire fast bowler John Turner.
Whether Mott will stay on and make those calls remains to be seen.
Sorry if you came here looking for a definitive answer.
Perhaps that’s part of the problem.