Reports: Kumar Sangakkara to join England as white-ball head coach

Kumar Sangakkara. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)

The England cricket team might be gearing up for an IPL reunion as they seek to revamp their coaching department. Recent reports suggest that Kumar Sangakkara, the Director of Cricket for Rajasthan Royals, could be a frontrunner to replace Matthew Mott as the white-ball head coach of the English team.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly looking to shake things up following disappointing performances in recent major tournaments.

Despite failing to reach the finals in both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, the board seems inclined to retain Jos Buttler as captain. However, a change in coaching leadership appears in store.

Also read: Head coach Brendon McCullum ‘satisfied’ with England’s growth after clean sweep over West Indies

Sangakkara’s potential appointment would reunite him with Buttler, creating a familiar environment from their time together at Rajasthan Royals. Since January 2021, Sangakkara has overseen the Royals’ cricket operations, during which time the franchise reached the IPL final in the 2022 edition.

Under his guidance, the English skipper has flourished as a key player for the Royals, suggesting a promising partnership at the international level.

The Sri Lankan legend isn’t the only name in the mix, though. Former Australia batter Michael Hussey and current Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott are also reported to be in contention.

Trott, in particular, has grabbed significant attention for his success with Afghanistan, leading them to impressive finishes in recent World Cups. Hussey, having served as England’s batting coach from 2022 to 2023, already has familiarity with the team’s setup.

Interestingly, former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is reportedly unlikely to be considered for the head coach position, despite speculation about his involvement in the team’s future.

Also read: Brendon McCullum on excluding senior players in West Indies’ Tests

The ECB’s decision comes at a crucial juncture for English cricket. While the Test team has found success under Brendon McCullum’s coaching, the white-ball squads need a fresh approach to reclaim their dominant position in limited-overs cricket.

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