IT’S TIME TO STAKE CLAIM
CRICKET: T20 INTERNATIONAL Morgan: World Cup door is open
® from RODNEY WHITE
SKIPPER Eoin Morgan insists there are plenty of places still up for grabs in England’s oneday set-up.
The 50-over side are emerging as early favourites for next year’s home World Cup.
But the T20 stars have the chance to push their longer form claims when Morgan’s side start the tri-series campaign this morning against Australia in Hobart.
Morgan himself could do with some runs, particularly after not being picked up by a Big Bash side or bought in the Indian Premier League auction.
And he acknowledges there is much to play for in the three-way T20 tournament against the Aussies and New Zealand, with the two best teams facing each other in Auckland on February 21 after two roundrobin matches per side.
Challenge
“At the moment everybody is playing a big part in the structure of the squad based around the 50-over tournament,” he said.
“There’s probably about four guys who are on the periphery of that, so it is an opportunity for them to stake their claim and prove they can perform on the international stage.
“It is a different kind of challenge playing against two very strong teams away from home.
“But, yes, we have guys who are pressing cases for different positions the whole time.”
Openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales return after recovering from back and hand injuries, which means David Willey will drop back down the order despite hitting 34 from one Nathan Lyon over in a warm-up match.
James Vince and Dawid Malan are fighting for one batting spot but with Ben Stokes still unavailable and Joe Root, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes all rested, there are places available.
Chris Jordan is fit after shaking off a minor hamstring injury but fellow bowler Liam Plunkett is unlikely to play because of a similar injury. AUSTRALIA (from): Warner (capt), Finch, Short, Lyn, Head, Stonis, Maxwell, Carey, Tye, Dwarshuis, Agar, Richardson, Stanlake, Zampa. ENGLAND (from): Hales, Roy, Vince, Morgan (capt), Malan, Billings, Buttler, Plunkett, Rashid, Dawson, T Curran, Jordan, Wood, Willey. UMPIRES: Simon Fry (New Zealand) and Gerard Abood (Australia). TV: 8.40am, BT Sport 2.