England head coach Matthew Mott revealed that he learned about the qualification scenario for the 2025 Champions Trophy during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match against India in Lucknow on Sunday (October 29).
England suffered a crushing 100-run defeat at the hands of India and the defending champions continue to languish at the bottom of the points table, featuring 10 teams.
According to the ICC rules, the top seven teams in the World Cup 2023 league stage would qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy, along with hosts Pakistan. This leaves the Three Lions in a tough spot since they are currently occupying the last position on the points table.
When asked about England’s chances of qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy, Mott said he became aware of the qualification scenario half an hour before the post-match presser.
"About an hour and a half ago," Mott told reporters. "The ICC do change the rules quite a bit with qualification and to be honest, I don't think it would affect, in any way, the way we've played in this tournament, so it's not a big deal."
Notably, the ICC had approved the qualification process at a board meeting in November 2021. However, the process was not communicated publicly or to the media. It was confirmed to the media on Sunday afternoon in Lucknow. While some competing teams were aware of it, others, including England, were not.
With the Champions Trophy qualification at stake, England and other teams languishing in the bottom half of the points table still have a lot to play for in the ongoing World Cup.
"We've got a fair bit to play for towards the back end of this tournament. [The qualification process] gives us a lot of focus that we need to make sure we can't, you know, just turn up. We've got to turn up and play and win those games. And we're obviously up against some good teams in those last few games as well. That's plenty of motivation for us," Mott added.
England skipper Jos Buttler was also asked about the Champions Trophy qualification process at the post-match presentation.
In reply, Buttler said: "Yeah, I'm aware of that. Absolutely, it just proves we've got lots to play for."
England’s next World Cup match is scheduled against Australia in Ahmedabad on November 4.
(ESPNCricinfo Inputs)
