Kumar Sangakkara is yet to hear from the ECB about the ‘exciting prospect’ of coaching England

Kumar Sangakkara said it would be an “exciting prospect” to coach England in limited-overs cricket, but highlighted that he has not yet received a formal approach about the role. The England and Wales Cricket Board is searching for a new white-ball boss after effectively sacking Matthew Mott on Tuesday, with the Australian overseeing two lackluster title defenses at the 2023 50-over World Cup and in June’s T20 World Cup. Former England batsman Marcus Trescothick has been placed in caretaker role for September’s one-day international and T20 series at home to arch-rivals Australia, while Rob Key, the managing director of England men’s cricket, sets out to find Mott’s permanent replacement .

Sri Lankan great Sangakkara has been linked with the vacancy partly because of his time in the Indian Premier League, working alongside England white-ball captain Jos Buttler at Rajasthan Royals.

But the 46-year-old former Sri Lankan batsman and wicketkeeper revealed little on Friday.

“Well, I know (my name) was mentioned for some reason but there was no approach as such,” Sangakkara, a member of Sky Sports’ commentary team for The Hundred, told British news agency PA.

“I think the white-ball role in England is an exciting prospect for anyone, but there are a lot of good candidates out there. I think Matthew Mott did a really good job.

“It’s great that Jos Buttler will remain in this leadership role as the team moves forward because it’s a good time for what the team is – and has been – and how it wants to progress in the future.

“I think the decision-making on the England pitch has been sound. I really love the leadership that Rob Key has provided… I think he’s been a very intelligent and practical man, very sensible in terms of how he makes decisions and very innovative in way he set the vision for English cricket.

Sangakkara, the first non-British chairman of Lord’s ground owners Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), added: “I am very happy at the moment. The Rajasthan Royals experience has been very rewarding and it has been work I have really enjoyed throughout the last four years.”

Meanwhile, Sangakkara is happy that compatriot Chamari Athapaththu is playing for the Oval Invincibles in the Hundred after she guided the Sri Lanka women’s team to Asia Cup glory last week.

“I am excited that Ben Stokes is playing but I am more excited that Chamari Athapaththu is playing because she has been the perfect and inspiring leader and captain of global cricket in Sri Lanka,” Sangakkara said.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)