Eoin Morgan has replaced Alistair Cook as England’s Cricket World Cup captain, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced yesterday.
Cook has scored just one fifty in his past 22 one-day innings for England and he has paid the price for failing to stop the rot during his country’s recent 5-2 series defeat in Sri Lanka.
Morgan will lead the side for the tri-series in Australia after Christmas, as well as for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February and March.
Photo: AFP
Cook, will not be going to the World Cup, the board said.
“ECB today announced that Eoin Morgan has replaced Alastair Cook as England one-day captain with immediate effect,” it said in a statement.
“England selectors met yesterday [Friday] to pick a 15-man one-day squad for the tour to Australia and the ICC Cricket World Cup. Selectors recommended to managing director [of] England cricket Paul Downton a change in captaincy which has now been approved by the ECB chairman. Cook will continue as England Test captain,” it added.
After England’s series-ending loss in Colombo on Tuesday, Cook, who has not scored a one-day century since June 2012, conceded he could have no complaints if he lost the one-day captaincy.
Yet the decision to remove him from the role with the World Cup looming is still a major reversal by Downton and head coach Peter Moores, who have given Cook absolute backing this year.
Cook, who turns 30 on Thursday, said: “I am gutted to be left out of the World Cup squad and it is likely to take me a while to get over the disappointment.”
“That said I wish Peter, Eoin and the lads all the best for the World Cup,” he added. “I would also like to thank all the players and fans who have supported me during my time as one-day captain.”
Morgan described being handed the England World Cup captaincy as “a huge honor.”
“I firmly believe that with the players currently involved in the one-day set-up we have the makings of a very good one-day side, a young side that can surprise people at the World Cup,” the 28-year-old Irishman said.
Downton said he had “complete confidence” in the decision made by the selectors, adding: “Having spent time with Alastair yesterday [Friday], he accepts that it has been made in the best interests of the one-day side.”
“Eoin has held a senior role in our limited-overs teams for some time and has impressed on the occasions he has led the side. Alastair remains an integral part of England cricket and continues to have a vital role in developing our emerging Test side,” Downton said.
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