Cricket

Kumar Sangakkara, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, has expressed interest in the vacant England limited-overs coaching position but has not yet received a formal approach. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is seeking a new white-ball coach after sacking Matthew Mott following disappointing performances in the 2023 50-over World Cup and T20 World Cup.Sangakkara, who has worked with England captain Jos Buttler at the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, has been linked with the role. However, the 46-year-old has downplayed the speculation, stating that he has not been contacted by the ECB."I know my name has been mentioned, but there has not been any approach as such," Sangakkara told PA news agency. "The England white-ball job is an exciting prospect for anyone, but there are so many good candidates out there."Sangakkara praised Mott's tenure as England coach and expressed admiration for the leadership of Rob Key, the managing director of England men's cricket. He believes that England is on the right track and that the decision-making has been spot on."I think the decision making in the England camp has been spot on," Sangakkara said. "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, who is currently a member of Sky Sports' commentary team for The Hundred, expressed contentment with his current role at the Rajasthan Royals. He also praised Sri Lankan cricketer Chamari Athapaththu for her inspiring leadership and her recent success in guiding the Sri Lanka women's team to Asia Cup glory.

Matthew Mott's tenure as England Men's white-ball head coach has come to an abrupt end, with the Australian stepping down with immediate effect. Mott's departure marks a significant shift in the team's leadership, following a disappointing performance at the recent T20 World Cup.Appointed in May 2022, Mott's tenure was marked by both triumph and disappointment. He guided England to a memorable T20 World Cup victory in 2022, but the team failed to defend their title this year, bowing out in the semi-finals. Additionally, England's hopes of retaining the 50-over World Cup crown they won in 2019 were dashed at the 2023 edition, where they managed only three wins in nine games.Mott's decision to step down follows a review into the team's recent performances, which saw England drop out of the top three in the ICC T20I rankings. The review, conducted by ECB managing director of England men's cricket Rob Key, concluded that the team needed a new direction to prepare for future challenges.Key praised Mott's contributions to the team, acknowledging his role in England's T20 World Cup triumph. However, he emphasized the need for a fresh approach to address the team's recent struggles.Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the home summer, which includes three T20Is and five ODIs against Australia in September. The search for a full-time replacement for Mott will begin immediately.Mott expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to coach England, highlighting the team's character and passion during his tenure. He also thanked the players, management, and ECB staff for their support.The departure of Mott leaves a void in England's coaching setup, with the team facing a crucial period in their development. The upcoming Champions Trophy and the next cycle of white-ball competition will test the team's resolve and determine their future trajectory.

England's managing director of men's cricket, Rob Key, has made bold selections for the upcoming Test series against West Indies, prioritizing potential over immediate performance. Jamie Smith, a 23-year-old wicketkeeper, and Shoaib Bashir, a 20-year-old spinner, have been handed their Test debuts despite not being first-choice options for their counties.Key defended the selections, emphasizing the need to identify players with high ceilings. He acknowledged the quality of Ben Foakes, Smith's predecessor as wicketkeeper, but expressed a desire for a more dynamic batsman. Foakes' batting on the recent India tour lacked the aggression expected of the current Test team.Similarly, Bashir's selection over Jack Leach, a veteran spinner, was based on his impressive performances in India. Key praised Bashir's character and potential, believing he has the attributes to become a top-class spinner.Key also addressed the absence of Ollie Robinson, a fast bowler who has struggled for form. He warned that Robinson must prove his worth in county cricket to earn a recall, given the abundance of fast-bowling options available.The Lord's Test will mark the retirement of James Anderson, but Key confirmed that the legendary bowler will remain with the squad as a mentor. Key believes Anderson has much to offer English cricket and wants to tap into his experience.

England's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup has cast a shadow over Matthew Mott's tenure as white-ball head coach. Despite reaching the semi-finals, the team's lackluster performance against India has raised questions about Mott's ability to lead England forward.Mott, who is two years into a four-year contract, insists he is the right man for the job. However, his team's inconsistent performances, including a dismal showing at last year's 50-over World Cup, have raised concerns. England's only victory against a Test-playing nation during the T20 World Cup was against Afghanistan.With no major white-ball tournaments scheduled for the next year, England has a 10-week break before their next limited-overs series against Australia. This provides Managing Director Rob Key with an opportunity to assess the team's progress and make crucial decisions.Key faces a series of questions, including whether Mott can reinvigorate the team, if England is making genuine progress under his leadership, and if there is a suitable replacement. He must also consider the future of captain Jos Buttler, who may opt to retire from international cricket.England's performance in the T20 World Cup was a mixed bag. After a shaky start, they put together a strong performance against West Indies but struggled against South Africa. They secured their semi-final spot with a thrashing of USA, but their hopes were dashed by India's dominance on a low-bounce pitch.Mott acknowledged that England "weren't quite at our best" and that they "needed to peak at the right time." However, he believes the team has made progress under his leadership.Despite Mott's optimism, there is a sense that England has lost its aura. The team's identity under Mott remains unclear, and they have struggled to maintain consistency. Key must decide whether Mott has a clear vision for the future and whether he is the right person to lead England into the next phase.

Rob Key, England's managing director, believes that Andrew Flintoff possesses exceptional leadership qualities and would be an ideal candidate for the England head coach position in the future. Key, a close friend of Flintoff, played a pivotal role in his return to the public eye after a serious accident in 2022.Flintoff's involvement with the England team has gradually increased since his initial unpaid role during the New Zealand series last year. He has since mentored the England Lions and is now part of the back-room staff for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.Key believes that Flintoff's personal experiences, both on and off the field, have equipped him with the emotional intelligence and empathy that are essential for effective leadership. He compares Flintoff to Ben Stokes, another former England captain known for his ability to connect with players and inspire them."Flintoff is a leader like Stokes," Key said. "He knows what it's like to struggle and come out the other end. He can relate to players and understand their challenges. He has high emotional intelligence and knows when to offer support or provide blunt honesty."Flintoff's role with England will extend into the ODI series against Pakistan before the T20 World Cup. Key sees this as a valuable opportunity for Flintoff to gain further experience in team management and squad assembly. He hopes that other former players, such as Moeen Ali and Eoin Morgan, can also be integrated into the coaching setup in the future."Flintoff is on a brilliant journey in his coaching development," Key said. "He's gaining practical experience in various roles, which is more valuable than theoretical knowledge. We want to create opportunities for former players with these skills to learn and contribute to the team."