Kumar Sangakkara has shown interest in England’s White-ball Cricket Head Coach role and admitted that it would be an exciting Prospect, but also revealed that he has not been officially contacted yet by the board.
Hunt for Matthew Mott’s Replacement
After Matthew Mott stepped down from the white-ball cricket head coach position after the side failed to defend the titles in ODI World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup 2024, the England and Wales Cricket Board is looking for a high-profile boss for the role.
The assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will act as interim head coach for the ODI and T20I series against Australia in September.
However, Sangakkara who has been listed as one of the front-runners for the role after success with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League franchise has shown his interest for the role.
“Well, I know (my name) has been mentioned for some reason, but there has not been any approach as such,” Sangakkara, part of the commentary team for The Hundred, said.
“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 in the background because he hates being in front of the cameras after finishing his commentary stint. 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.
“Everyone who is aligned with it has found success and anyone coming in, I don’t think the job is going to be too much of a task, but it is just about getting the best out of a very deep and able talent pool.
“They are getting younger players in, the senior players are constantly performing, but at the same time there is an aspect of moving on and understanding what needs to change, what has worked, what needs to be kept and also looking at new directions or new trends that need to be incorporated.
“Perhaps a slightly different way of playing maybe? But that is all to be seen. I think currently in terms of the state of England cricket, I think it is in a very, very healthy state.”
The 46-year-old former batter has been the head coach of Rajasthan for the past four editions said, “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.”
He is currently involved with The Hundred, where Chamari Athapaththu will feature for Oval Invincible after Sri Lanka’s success in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024. “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.
“The Hundred is about growing the reach of the game and attracting new fans. I think it is serving its purpose well and the cricket on the field has also been vindicating,” concluded Sangakkara.
