RASHID: WE NEED CAPTAIN MORGAN BACK AND FIRING

ENGLAND are desperate for Eoin Morgan’s return despite his lack of runs, says Adil Rashid.

Morgan has led a limited overs revival since the 2015 World Cup, but his absence through injury in Melbourne saw England succumb to a seven-wicket defeat to Australia that leaves their Trans-Tasman Tri-Series hopes on a knife-edge.

Only victory in both their remaining games against New Zealand will guarantee their place in the final, against an Australia side that have won all of their first three matches.

Morgan (below) is expected to be fit for these matches, and the prospective final, which Rashid feels will be a huge bonus.

“He’s a leader, he’s our captain,” said Rashid. “He’s done a tremendous job and hopefully he’ll carry on doing that. He gives us input on and off the field and yesterday was there with information, where needed.

“Morgs has been a class act for England for many years and he’s a big miss. Not only with his batting but with his captaincy too.

“He captains really well, he’s clued into the game and he would be a big miss. Hopefully he’ll be back playing in a couple of days.”

Rashid himself has not enjoyed the same glories as he has had in the 50-over format. During England’s 4-1 ODI series win against Australia, he took 10 wickets – the most wickets by a bowler on either side.

However, the leg spinner has only managed one in two games in the Twenty20 format, looking far less dangerous.

That, he says, is down to the nature of the shortest format and an Australia side who have been honing their T20 skills over the last few weeks.

“It’s the same principle, bowling in the 50-over and 20-over game. I think the mindset still stays the same.

“They have been playing Big Bash for the last month. It is a completely different side from the one-day internationals but we have got to make sure we play to our potential.”

As for New Zealand, they will be looking to roll on from their opening defeat to Australia and do a number on England – and Rashid is wary of the threat they pose.

“They’re a very well gelled T20 side. We have to take all of them on,’’ he said. “There isn’t one individual where we say, ‘This is the man.’ We’re going to go through their team and come up with some plans.”