London, Apr 7 : Kent skipper Rob Key has emerged as a front runner to be England's Twenty20 captain after Andrew Strauss was dramatically axed from the list of probables.

Key tops the list for World Twenty20 event because he is a sharp thinker, aggressive batsman and a respected leader, The Sun reported.

He has long been regarded as England captaincy material as Key led the A team in New Zealand this winter and takes charge of an MCC side, including Michael Vaughan against Durham at Lord's on Thursday.