Exclusive: 'Cricket in America is a sleeping giant' - Matthew Mott eyes long-term success with Seattle Orcas in MLC
File Pic: Seattle Orcas head coach Matthew Mott
Former England men's and Australia women's team coach Matthew Mott talks about his new stint with Seattle Orcas, the Major League Cricket (MLC) experience, and the future of cricket in America.
Renowned Australian coach Matthew Mott, who led England to a T20 World Cup title in 2022 and the Australian women's team to multiple World Cup wins, has taken charge of Seattle Orcas for Season 3 of Major League Cricket (MLC).
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In an exclusive chat with
TimesofIndia.com
, Mott opened up about his coaching philosophy, the growth of cricket in the US, and what it takes to build a successful franchise in an emerging cricket market.
Excerpts:
What drew you to the opportunity of coaching Seattle Orcas and coming to the MLC?
I've set myself up for shorter tournaments now. I'm based in Cardiff, and after working with Delhi Capitals — who are also involved with Seattle — I had good feedback about the environment here. I'd spoken to Washington Freedom earlier, but when the Orcas head coach role came up, I consulted people I trust, and they said it's a great setup. Last year didn't go as planned for the team, but there's immense talent on and off the field.
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I was excited to be part of something that's building for the future.
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How does coaching in MLC compare to other international and franchise leagues?
Every environment is different. The challenge here is adapting quickly - understanding the culture, fitting in, and helping shape it. I arrived a bit late due to IPL commitments, but the players have been welcoming. What excites me most is the vision - to build sustainable success over years, not just for one season. While the start hasn't gone our way, there's enough talent here.
A few wins and confidence can change everything.
Poll
Do you believe Major League Cricket (MLC) can inspire the next generation of players in the US?
Yes, absolutely!
Somewhat, but it will take time
No, it won't have much impact
How do you balance coaching international T20 stars and nurturing local American talent?
That's the art of modern coaching. Every competition has local players, and understanding how they train and best fit in is key. Not everyone can play their ideal role, so creating team-first chemistry is important. Confidence and stability matter. We're focusing on finding a structure that's repeatable and grows year on year.
What kind of culture do you want to instill at Seattle Orcas?
We've talked about core values. The players themselves identified honesty and team-first mentality as key.
With so much crossover in T20 leagues now, it's vital to think beyond individual performance. A team-focused approach helps players thrive here and opens doors elsewhere. And at the heart of it, cricket is a people-driven game. If we manage people well, performance follows.
What are the opportunities and hurdles in growing cricket in the United States?
I prefer focusing on the opportunities. Events like the Olympics and the T20 World Cup in the US provide a global stage. When I coached the Australian women, we had 80,000 people at the MCG for a final.
That's how a sport explodes. Once Americans experience the skill and excitement of T20 cricket - diving catches, bare-handed fielding, six-hitting - they'll fall in love with it.
Cricket in the US is a sleeping giant. Sure, there will be ups and downs, but with smart owners and long-term investment, I truly believe the game can grow here. Strategic alignment across franchises and the national setup will be key.
Major League Cricket: Liam Plunkett on how cricket can boom in the USA
What role can a league like MLC play in building a cricket ecosystem in the US?
MLC is crucial.
Just like the IPL inspires kids in India, MLC can inspire kids here. It makes the game visible, local, and accessible. Young boys and girls can now dream of representing Seattle Orcas or playing for the US one day. They can watch world-class talent in their backyard. This kind of exposure, blended with local heroes, is a recipe for growth. Over time, this can feed directly into the national team.
What do local players need most to reach international levels?
Infrastructure is key. Most young American players tell me they just want more time on turf wickets, better net and center wicket facilities.
Indoor training is good, but nothing replaces time on quality outdoor surfaces. The move to drop-in wickets helps, but consistent outdoor training is the game-changer. Training under match-like conditions regularly is what will drive player development the fastest.
What role can experienced coaches like yourself play in this journey?
For me, coaching is about sharing knowledge, building trust, and guiding growth. I prefer a collaborative style - ask the players where they want to take their game, help them identify strengths and areas for improvement, and be a sounding board they can rely on even outside the tournament window.
You can't overhaul a player in a short tournament, but you can give direction. Sometimes just sharing a video of a similar player can trigger growth. And being available to talk - even after the tournament - is how you build something meaningful and lasting.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
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