Clare Connor in the frame to replace Andrew Strauss as England director of cricket

Clare Connor has emerged as a strong candidate to take over Andrew Strauss’s recently vacated role as England director of cricket, having filled the equivalent post in the women’s game with great success.

The ECB are set to make public in the coming days the remit of the job, which is thought to be slightly different to the role filled by Strauss since 2015. Having been on compassionate leave this summer, the former England opener stepped down this month to spend more time with his wife Ruth, who is battling cancer.

Andy Flower, Connor’s partner, will continue to deputise until January, but is not interested in the role long term. Strauss is helping Tom Harrison locate the right candidate and drawing up the job specifications. Applications will open soon with a view to the new director being in place by the tour of the Caribbean in January.

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Former England captain Connor is a hugely respected figure at the ECB, having overseen the women’s team’s World Cup win last summer and a wider growth in the women’s game. She also sits on panels linked to the men’s game and has been helping devise the new 100-ball competition, which begins in 2020.

County directors of cricket, like Surrey’s Alec Stewart and Warwickshire’s Ashley Giles, are also in the frame, while it is in vogue to take administrators from the media, where so many former players work.

Meanwhile England have been joined in Kandy by Kent’s Joe Denly, who as well as making a Test debut could play his first ODI in nine years in the final two games of the series, which England lead 2-0. Since he last played, his legspin has improved significantly, and he swept up a host of awards at this month’s PCA Awards.

“The thought never came into my mind,” he told TalkSport when asked if he felt his international career was over. “If I wasn’t selected it would have been a case of trying to get better and trying to improve on my performances.

“I know I’m 32 now but for me that’s just a number, I still think my best years are ahead of. Hopefully there’s lots more runs and wickets to come.”