ROLLING WITH THE PUNCHES

Mott wants to land first blow after a hard six months

- MIKE WALTERS

ENGLAND coach Matthew Mott claims his players have gone from “rock bottom” to the real deal in six months – and warned India: “It’s time we threw the first punch.”

Mott’s job was on the line after England’s torrid flop in the 50-over World Cup before Christmas, when they lost six of their nine games on the subcontinent.

But Lord’s director of cricket Rob Key held firm, insisting Mott and skipper Jos Buttler had earned the right to defend their Twenty20 crown in the Caribbean.

Now, after walking a tightrope through a rain-hit group phase, England face a blockbuster semi-final in Guyana where all the cards are stacked in India’s favour – from an ominous weather forecast to lop-sided playing regulations.

But Mott believes their dismal whiteball experience last winter will stand them in good stead as England bid to repeat their 10-wicket thrashing of India en route to their T20 World Cup triumph in 2022.