Kent captain Rob Key has given his backing to Director of Cricket Graham Ford, who is being strongly linked with the vacant position of England coach.

Peter Moores was sacked as England coach last week and replaced temporarily by Andy Flower for the tour of the West Indies and Key is not surprised 48-year-old Ford is being talked about as a permanent replacement.

Speaking on the club’s official website, Key said: “Graham is very good at what he does and deserves to keep getting linked with the top jobs.

"In life, everyone should strive to reach the top and it’s no different in cricket.

“You never want to stand in someone’s way if a big opportunity come about and it doesn’t come much bigger than the England job.

"He turned down India for a variety of reasons. He enjoys it here at Kent so that was a consideration so was his family. I think it will be different if he gets offered the England job - I think he will go for it.

“He is excellent at what he does and enables players to maximise their potential. He is superb at working with individuals and he gets the whole team playing well.

"Players respect him because he is such a sincere man. He isn’t too bothered about the glitz and glamour of cricket. He is very hands on and spends hours doing the key things. He is happy to give throwdowns to players, he will take a mitt for the bowlers and he is always on hand to help.

“He is rated by everyone, not just here in the UK or back in South Africa but the world over. I don’t know some of the other coaches being linked with the post but Graham Ford is the best person, in my opinion, and the obvious choice for the top job.

“If he does go, then it would be a real big loss because exceptional coaches don’t grow on trees.”

Click here to read the full interview on the Kent County Cricket Club website