Cricket News: Mott or Hayden - Best Matthew to coach a team in the T20 World Cup 2022

England was being coached by Matthew Mott, the man who made the Australian women’s cricket team such a force to be reckoned with in white-ball cricket. 

And Pakistan’s team mentor was Matthew Hayden, the legendary former Australian opener who terrorized many a bowling attack in his heyday. 

It is worth noting that both had different roles – Mott was the head coach, whereas Hayden was the team mentor. 

And it’s also worth noting that the coach who had the best tournament was the one whose side emerged victorious in the game – in this case, Mott. 

After all, he came into the side not only with a good reputation of his own, but he also became the head coach of a side that was used to winning. 

Remember, England was runners-up in the 2016 World T20 and winners of the 2019 ODI World Cup before Mott, and the Aussie needed to deliver instantly or be consigned to the scrapheap. 

After all, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are ruthless with head coaches if they do not see any clear progression with the team. 

Just ask Chris Silverwood, who found himself out of a job due to his inability to connect with the players correctly. 

In that sense, the job that Mott has done is highly commendable. Not only did he take over a winning side, but he also ensured they remained a side that would keep winning. 

His immediate impact has been immense, and few, if anyone, would now discount the England team as favourites for the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2023. 

However, to judge who the best Matthew would be purely based on results would be doing a disservice to the job that Hayden did for the Pakistan side in dire need of some inspiration. 

Hayden’s knowledge of local conditions and approach to keeping things uncluttered with the team’s batters helped them immensely. 

Indeed, many would argue that Pakistan’s improved batting in the tournament was at least partly down to the influence the man nicknamed Haydos had on the side. 

He also did his bit to publicly back the team and give confidence in them. His call about Babar Azam being due a big knock after a slew of failures proved right on the money; Babar scored a half-century in the semi-final against New Zealand. 

Hayden was also an active presence in the dugout, continuously cheering on the players as well as giving advice as and when needed to the players. 

In short, Hayden also did a remarkable job as a mentor of the Pakistan cricket team. And a career in full-time coaching could well be up for grabs shortly should he decide to take that path. 

Thus, it is hard to call the battle of Matthew, but one thing is for sure – cricket was better off with both of them in critical roles for their sides.