Mark Wood has staunchly defended Matthew Mott after the England head coach came under fire for England’s poor performance in the 2023 World Cup, stating that the players “just haven’t been good enough”.

Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of England’s game this weekend against Australia, Wood defended Mott from suggestions that he should take responsibility for his side’s failure in the tournament by stepping down.

“If the players are looking at other people then that’s the players’ fault,” Wood said. “We get every support system going, we’ve got nutritionists, we’ve got strength and conditioning coaches, we’ve got physios, we’ve got local Indian coaches doc-sticking at the lads. As a player you’ve got everything you need, the coach can only set about – we get tactics, we get analysts – there’s nothing different to how we’ve done it the last seven years since I’ve been involved with England, nothing different.

“So you can’t pin everything on the coach, sometimes the players have to look at themselves and give a little bit of responsibility.”

Mott fended off suggestions that England’s losses were down to problems within their dressing room following their fourth consecutive defeat of the tournament to India. There have also been suggestions that former captain Eoin Morgan should take over the reigns after the World Cup.

Strong stuff from Mark Wood.

The England bowler has responded to suggestions that Matthew Mott has lost the support of the players. #BBCCricket #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/VDjkoqk3V4

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) November 1, 2023

Wood also elaborated on his own performance in the tournament, expressing disappointment with his returns. The fast bowler has taken four wickets from six matches in the tournament at an average of 69.75. His best performance was against Afghanistan, where he took 2-50 despite England’s loss.

“I have not performed well enough in this World Cup,” said Wood. “I’m frustrated, I’m gutted about it you know, I feel like you know I’ve let some people down at home and things like that, and that hurts me and the rest of the group is hurting as well.

“So I don’t think you can just pin it on the captain, the coach all the time. Sometimes you’ve got to look at yourself and say look, I just haven’t been good enough and what can I do to get better? It’s not fair to always pin it on other people.”

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