Right time to step down now, says Morgan

ENGLAND’S World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan insisted now was “the right time” to step down as he announced his retirement from international cricket.

Morgan has revolutionised England’s limited-overs fortunes in his seven-and-a-half-year reign, taking them from also-rans at the 2015 World Cup to champions for the first time four years later.

But he has been beset by form and fitness issues over the last 12 months and, despite an ambition to lead the side at the T20 World Cup this autumn, the 35-year-old has ultimately decided to walk away.

“After careful deliberation and consideration, I am here to announce my retirement from international cricket with immediate effect,” Morgan, who intends to carry on at domestic level, said in a press conference at Lord’s.

“To call time on what has been without doubt the most enjoyable and rewarding chapter of my career hasn’t been an easy decision, but I believe now is the right time to do so, both for me, personally, and for both England white-ball sides I have led to this point. I have been lucky enough to play in two World Cup-winning teams, but I believe the future for England’s white-ball teams is brighter than ever. We have more experience, more strength and more depth than ever before. I look forward to watching on with a huge level of excitement.

“To what lies ahead for me, I will continue to enjoy playing at a domestic level while I can. I’m really looking forward to playing and captaining London Spirit in the second edition of The Hundred this year.”

Jos Buttler is widely expected to step up from his position as deputy to lead the white-ball sides.