They would not take any risk on Jos, says Mott
By our correspondent
KARACHI: England’s coach Matthew Mott has made it clear that they would not take any risk to bring in Jos Buttler who is recovering from a calf injury at a stage when World Cup is just around the corner.
“With regard to Jos Buttler he is still a while off, he is not a player we want to take a risk on at this stage so close to the World Cup and it was a reasonably significant injury that he had,” Mott told a post-match news conference here on Sunday night after Pakistan beat England by three runs to level the series 2-2.
“So, he is champing at a bit for a game but we will just try and see how we go and may be in the last game or two he might get a chance,” Mott said.
Jos in his arrival press conference had also mentioned that he was not sure when he would be match-fit. Jos, the hard-hitting batsman, missed the entire four-match Karachi leg and on Monday both teams reached Lahore to engage in the second leg of the seven-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium on September 28, 30 and October 2.
Mott said they lost a close game against Pakistan but that they would learn from this.
“It was a great game of cricket. He (Dawson) was disappointed with himself as he brought the team so close. It was special knock from him, an amazing game of cricket. It was a fantastic opportunity for us to save ourselves under pressure. It was a knife-edge game and they got over the line but we would draw plenty of that experience,” Mott said.
“Two very good teams. With the kind of score we were expecting 190 or 200 score but as both were very good teams. Pakistan getting wickets in the powerplay put us on the back foot; then a good partnership between Brook and Moeen and then Liam’s knock was special. Rauf’s over was outstanding under pressure,” the coach said.
Mott feels satisfied with the way his three young players including Luke Wood, Will Jacks and Olly Stone made their debuts. “I am very much satisfied,” Mott said.
“We picked this team while having an eye on the World Cup and the future as well. We want to win the series. It’s important for us to get momentum before the World Cup. More importantly we look at long term and getting games. They have scored a lot in domestic cricket and taking wickets and it’s important to give them opportunities,” Mott said.
Asked what is his opinion about the contrasting style of batting of both England and Pakistan Mott said every team plays around its strength.
“Every team plays around its own strength. We feel proud that our batting has incredible depth. I think Adil Rashid has scored ten first-class hundreds in his career. It’s an amazing depth we have got. David Willy tonight played a very good knock, so we back our depth,” said.
“Every team assesses the conditions differently, plays around its strength and Pakistan did that perfectly the other night by chasing 200 as well. So, its different ways to bat. Obviously, we did lose many wickets in the powerplay but at the back-end the players played really well,” he said.
Mott was happy that the tough games against a mighty opposition is the best preparation for the World Cup.
“We could not ask for better preparations with the game we got tonight. It was on the line with a couple of overs to go and players under pressure on a very good surface. Despite back-to-back games the wicket was too good tonight. We would love if we had won tonight but when you go into the World Cup and you play against good opposition and get tough games; it’s much better,” the coach said.