STRAUSS NEEDS MORGAN
NEGOTIATING a storm swirling around one captain could be considered unfortunate — but allowing it to spread to a second at the start of England’s busiest ever year would be downright careless from Andrew Strauss. That is why Strauss desperately needs Eoin Morgan to flourish when he effectively begins again as England’s limited-overs leader with the first of three one-day internationals tomorrow in Pune. As Strauss, England’s team director, was yesterday telling Test captain Alastair Cook to take more time over his future when they met for the first time since England’s 4-0 series defeat, another captain was preparing for his date with Virat Kohli’s formidable India. The difference is that Morgan, who has led England so impressively since the last World Cup debacle, has put himself under pressure by refusing to travel to Bangladesh despite the ECB assuring him it was safe to do so. After scoring three and getting out to a firstball duck in the two warm-up games, Morgan needs runs like never before in three 50-over matches that begin preparations for a Champions Trophy in June Strauss wants England to win just as much as the Ashes. Morgan, who insists he has no regrets over his no-show, heads into tomorrow’s match in the pivotal No 4 position looking worryingly short of form. It was predictable that the two outstanding batsmen in those practice games against India A were two who travelled to Bangladesh — but who now find themselves on the sidelines. Sam Billings and Jonny Bairstow could not have done much more to advance their cases for regular inclusion in the 50-over team and it will be up to Morgan now to justify his place after undermining his own authority. It should be remembered that England, with Morgan at the helm, were outstanding in white-ball cricket for most of 2016 and their close-knit team appear to remain fully behind the man who, along with coaches Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace, has backed them to play with fearless freedom. ‘There are no concerns,’ insisted Ben Stokes when asked about Morgan’s poor form. ‘Everyone goes through bad patches and good form is quickly forgotten. ‘He will admit himself he’s not done as well as he’d like to but he’s the captain and is the driving point for what we want