Kumar Sangakkara yet to hear from ECB about 'exciting prospect' of coaching England

NEW DELHI: Kumar Sangakkara has expressed interest in coaching England's limited-overs cricket team, calling it an 'exciting prospect' but he clarified that he has not yet been formally approached for the position.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is currently seeking a new white-ball coach after sacking Matthew Mott on Tuesday.

Mott, an Australian, had overseen England's underwhelming performance in the 2023 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup in June.

Marcus Trescothick, a former England batsman, has been appointed as the caretaker coach for the upcoming one-day international and T20 series against Australia in September.

Rob Key, the managing director of England men's cricket, is actively searching for a permanent replacement for Mott.

Sangakkara, a renowned former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman, has been associated with the vacancy partly due to his experience in the Indian Premier League, where he worked alongside England's white-ball captain Jos Buttler at the Rajasthan Royals.

However, Sangakkara, who is part of Sky Sports' commentary team for The Hundred, remained guarded when speaking to Britain's PA news agency on Friday.

"Well, I know (my name) has been mentioned for some reason, but there has not been any approach as such," Sangakkara, a member of Sky Sports' commentary team for The Hundred, told Britain's PA news agency.

"I think the England white-ball job is an exciting prospect for anyone, but there are so many good candidates out there. I think Matthew Mott has done a really good job.

"It is great that Jos Buttler is staying in that leadership role as the side progresses because it is a nice time from what the side is -- and was -- and how it wants to progress in the future.

"I think the decision making in the England camp has been spot on. I really love the leadership that Rob Key has provided...I think he has been a really smart, practical man, very commonsensical in terms of how he makes decisions and very forward-thinking in how he has set the vision for England cricket."

Sangakkara, the first non-British president of Lord's ground owners Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), added: "I am very happy at the moment. The Rajasthan Royals experience has been very fulfilling and it has been a job I have really enjoyed over the last four years."

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

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