Buttler steps in as Morgan calls it time
LANCASHIRE’S Jos Buttler is set to be named England’s white ball captain after Eoin Morgan announced his retirement from international cricket.
Morgan, who oversaw the transformation of England’s side from also-rans in 2015 to 50-over world champions at Lord’s four years later, has been struggling for form and fitness in recent times.
He led a one-day series in the Netherlands this month but his duel issues were exposed as he was dismissed twice for nought in high-scoring matches before missing the concluding game with a groin niggle.
Morgan had hoped to stay the course long enough for one last tilt at the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia this October, but he has now accepted his time is up.
“The day it hit me was quite a sad day,” the 35-year-old said.
“I’ve engaged with a lot of ex-players as to how they’ve stopped, and when and how the transition worked, and each person said there is a time and place where it hits you.
“And the other common answer was you’ll wake up and you’ll know. That moment came for me in Amsterdam.
“Since then I’ve been incredibly proud and content with the decision and excited for English cricket going forward.”
Buttler’s first assignment will be a high-profile series against India, comprising three T20s and three ODIs starting on July 7, before the same against South Africa.
Meanwhile, England Test captain Ben
Stokes has told county cricket’s hopefuls to watch and learn from his side’s fearless approach against New Zealand if they want to join the ranks.
Stokes has brought about a remarkable revolution in his first three games as skipper, revitalising a side who had won just one of the last 17 Tests and chalking up a hat-trick of thrilling victories over the format’s reigning world champions.
A side once gripped by fear has thrown off the shackles in stunning fashion. Almost as soon as Jonny Bairstow put the finishing touches to a 3-0 series sweep in fitting fashion - with a six into the Headingley stands yesterday England announced the same group of players had been picked to face India at Edgbaston today.
And Stokes has made it clear that anybody who wants to force their way into the set-up would be judged on their style as well as their statistics.
“I think these last three games should have sent a message to people who aspire to play Test cricket for England over the next two or three years, at least,” he said.
“I’d like to think that people watching know what they have to do to try and bang the door down and get in this team. I would say it’s about the manner and the way that you’re going to play, whether that be with a ball or a bat in your hand.”