Matthew Mott      

A product of the Gold Coast, Matthew Mott became best known for his role as a permanent fixture at No. 3 in Victoria's first-class batting order. Mott attended the Academy in 1995 and his scoring at Brisbane grade level was prolific. After making his first-class debut in 1994-95, Mott, a left-hand batsman, beat a path into and out of the side on a consistent basis and, despite producing a number of valuable innings - none more important than his 86 in the 1996-97 Sheffield Shield final victory - he could never secure a regular berth in the Queensland side. Disenchanted, he relocated to Victoria ahead of the 1998-99 season.

Mott's fierce determination, solid work ethic, and his great value as a team player won him many admirers in his new state and also a firm hold on a place in the upper order. Characteristically dogged centuries against New South Wales and Western Australia in his first year with the Bushrangers helped in no small measure, as did another 841 first-class runs the following summer as Victoria reached a final in that arena for the first time in nine years. His best effort was 216 against New South Wales in 2002-03, but his form fell away the next year and he was overlooked for Victoria's triumphant Pura Cup final side. After retiring, Mott took up coaching and was an assistant with Australia's Under-19 World Cup team in 2005, as well as at New South Wales. When Trevor Bayliss took the Sri Lankan job in 2007, Mott was handed the senior role with the Blues. He also joined John Buchanan on a bumpy IPL journey as an assistant with the Kolkata Knight Riders and in 2009 guided New South Wales to the Champions League Twenty20 tournament.
Cricinfo staff September 2009