T20 World Cup 2024: Manchester City psychologist David Young hired by England for World Cup
Published - 24 May 2024, 03:08 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:12 AM
The England team has recruited Manchester City's psychologist David Young for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA in June. Head coach Matthew Mott stated that David Young will aid England players in handling their emotional vulnerabilities during the ICC tournament.
David Young previously worked with the England team from 2016 to 2020. Young has experience with Manchester City during their successful period, where the club won four consecutive Premier League titles. Young has returned as a consultant for England for a short-term stint for this year's World Cup.
England white-ball skipper Jos Buttler played a crucial role in bringing Young back for the marquee event. Young joined the England squad ahead of their first T20I against Pakistan and will rejoin them after assisting Manchester City in preparation for Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester United.
He's Previously Been With The Team - Matthew Mott
Matthew Mott highlighted David Young's previous experience with the team. The England head coach emphasized the value of having someone slightly detached from the squad to ensure effective messaging.
"He's previously been with the team and he's already been a great ally in messages back to me, making sure my messages are clear. It's always good to have someone who's a little bit removed from the squad to make sure you're landing your messages… He's still doing other roles but we've got him for this series, and the start of the World Cup as well," Mott said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
The defending champions are eager to perform well after their disappointing showing at the 2023 World Cup. The Jos Buttler-led team underperformed and was eliminated in the group stage. The Three Lions managed to secure three wins out of nine matches, two of which came after their elimination.
Most Teams Are Going To Go That Way - Matthew Mott
Matthew Mott believes that T20 cricket allows for a more aggressive approach compared to ODIs. Mott is confident in England's ability to defend their title successfully in the upcoming tournament.
"We feel like it's time to get the mojo back and go out and really express ourselves as a team. I think T20, as opposed to ODI, is so much clearer in the way the players can approach it," Mott added.
"We've seen in the IPL, you have to go out and really take the game on from the start. Most teams are going to go that way, so it's going to be an exciting World Cup," he further stated.
England will finalize their World Cup squad before the second T20I match at Edgbaston. The selectors are likely to retain the same 15 players from the provisional squad, despite injuries to Liam Livingstone and Mark Wood. Jofra Archer is expected to play in at least two of the remaining three T20Is.
