The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Fit-again England four back in fray for opener
Cricket: Morgan, Wood, Stokes and Buttler set to face Pakistan
England captain Eoin Morgan insists he has no concerns about the match sharpness of his returning players for the opening one-day international against Pakistan in Southampton today.
Bowler Mark Wood, allrounder Ben Stokes, wicket-keeper Jos Buttler and the captain have all been sidelined through injury recently, but all four are set to face the tourists at the Ageas Bowl despite a distinct lack of time in the middle.
Morgan has yet to play a competitive match since chipping a bone in his finger at the end of July but insists he is fit and ready to take on a Pakistan side buoyed by the 2-2 draw in this summer’s Test series.
“The finger is good,” he said.
“I’ve been catching for the last six days at high intensity and batting for the last week so it’s been good, it hasn’t swollen up.
“I tried to get fit for Middlesex and it didn’t react that well, only nine days after the break, so that wasn’t the most intelligent thing. But another 10 days on top of that it’s been really good.
“All being well I probably would have played one or two 50-over matches, but it doesn’t bother me at all.”
Lancashire player Buttler has recovered from a broken thumb and Stokes is back after a calf injury, although he will play as a batsman in the first two matches.
“I think the break can refresh players,” added Morgan. “Jos is fully fit and will definitely play. He’s been out for six weeks but again that’s not a bad thing. There’s a chance he’ll be in all the squads in the winter.
“Stokes will not bowl in the first two games. He’s fit as a batsman and not as a bowler. We’ll look to progress his bowling and hopefully see him bowling towards the back end of the series.”
Durham player Wood has returned after several months of ankle trouble but on the back of an impressive performance at Twenty20 finals day, when he had England team-mate Joe Root hopping around the crease.
“He is another pace bowler who can bowl faster than 90mph,” said Morgan. “He bowled exceptionally well in the Twenty20. I have sympathy for Joe, we’ve all been there. It was a great day.
“Seeing players come back in and bowl 90-plus at one of the best batsmen in the world, I’d pay a lot of money to see that.”
Morgan said England may play three spinners during the series so Hampshire left-arm spinner Liam Dawson could come into the team for his first oneday cap alongside Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.
Morgan also confirmed a briefing will be held tomorrow to discuss possible security concerns about the winter tour to Bangladesh.
“Only nine days after the break, so that wasn’t the most intelligent thing”