MORGAN TO TEST HOPEFULS’ METTLE
EOIN MORGAN plans to use the three-match T20 series against Pakistan to test the nerves of World Cup hopefuls.
With limited opportunities to find out about his squad before the World T20 later this year, the three internationals – starting at Trent Bridge tonight – are a big help.
Morgan (inset) intends to load the pressure on and find out whether fringe players can make him rethink his plans.
He said: “We need to look into strength in depth.
“You will see us giving opportunities and going through various little options in the next three games for possible injury replacements for certain players.
“There will be more rotation and the priority throughout the series will be to give opportunities.
“We are treating it as though it is our last chance to look at guys in various positions.
“When you looking at an area of improvement, you don’t always look at your best guys to do it.
“It’s an opportunity in these three games to look at them under pressure.”
Saqib Mahmood, Lewis
Gregory and Matt Parkinson have been given their chance following their ODI success in the ‘B team’ squad under Ben Stokes.
Morgan confirmed Stokes was always going to miss the T20 matches to give his broken finger more time to heal properly, despite getting through the 3-0 one-day whitewash.
(possible): Roy, Bairstow, Banton, Morgan (capt), Buttler (wkt), Livingstone, Gregory, Jordan, Willey, Rashid, Mahmood.
PAKISTAN (possible): Rizwan (wkt), Fakhar, Sharjeel, Azam (capt), Hafeez, Maqsood, Imad, Hasan Ali, Shaheen, Qadir, Rauf.