Kumar Sangakkara calls England coaching job an "Exciting Prospect"

Cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara has expressed interest in coaching England’s limited-overs cricket team, describing it as an "exciting prospect." 

However, the former Sri Lankan captain clarified that he has not yet received any formal approach for the role.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is actively seeking a new white-ball coach following the dismissal of Matthew Mott on Tuesday. Mott, an Australian, was relieved of his duties after England's disappointing title defenses in both the 2023 50-over World Cup and June's T20 World Cup.

Former England batsman Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim 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 leading the search for Mott's permanent replacement.

Sangakkara, who has been linked with the vacancy partly due to his successful stint with the Indian Premier League’s Rajasthan Royals alongside England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler, remained non-committal about the rumors.

"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.

He praised England’s leadership structure, emphasizing the importance of continuity with Jos Buttler at the helm. 

"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," he said.

"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," he added.

Sangakkara, who made history as the first non-British president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), also shared his contentment with his current role at Rajasthan Royals.

"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 said.

In addition to his thoughts on coaching England, Sangakkara expressed his delight at fellow Sri Lankan Chamari Athapaththu’s participation in The Hundred. Athapaththu recently led Sri Lanka to Asia Cup victory and is now playing for the Oval Invincibles.

"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," he concluded.