Former Sri Lanka player Kumar Sangakkara has said it would be an “exciting prospect” to coach England in white ball cricket but also stated that he has yet to receive a formal approach regarding the role. The England and Wales Cricket Board are searching for a new white-ball coach after they effectively sacked Matthew Mott on Tuesday, with the Australian having experienced two lacklustre title defences at both the 2023 50-over World Cup and June’s T20 World Cup as well.

Former England batter Marcus Trescothick has been in charge for September’s ODI and T20 series at home to arch-rivals Australia while Rob Key, the managing director of England men’s cricket, goes in search of Mott’s permanent replacement as well. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka great Sangakkara has been linked with the vacancy, because he works alongside England white-ball captain Jos Buttler at the Rajasthan Royals in IPL.

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“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,” he added.

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Kumar 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. 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.”