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.

Strauss was omitted from England's provisional 30-man squad for the tournament because he is not considered an explosive enough player. He will keep his place as England's Test and ODI skipper.

Key led Kent to the domestic Twenty20 Cup in 2007 and his county were beaten finalists last year.

"I've heard nothing but of course I'd be honoured to be considered for the job in the World Twenty20 - it's not the sort of thing you turn down," Key said.

The T20 captain would have to be ratified by England's new permanent coach, which is increasingly certain to be Andy Flower.

Strauss insisted throughout the recent West Indies tour that he wanted to be captain in all three forms of the game. Now the selectors are claiming that he has agreed to step down.

National selector Geoff Miller said: "Andrew's game is not best suited to the Twenty20 game. He accepts that, we accept that. It's not a decision that was made by one individual it was just a general principle." (ANI)