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Eoin Morgan, the former captain of England, has voiced his support for Jos Buttler and Matthew Mott to continue leading England’s white-ball cricket team following the recent T20 World Cup. Despite entering the tournament as defending champions, England faced setbacks with losses to Australia, South Africa, and eventually India in the semi-finals. Their defeat to India, where they were dismissed for just 103 chasing 172, marked a significant end to their campaign.
Currently, England’s Test team is engaged in a series against West Indies, while their white-ball squad is on a hiatus. Some players are participating in various domestic T20 leagues worldwide. Amidst this, Morgan has emphasized the importance of continuity, urging Buttler and Mott to remain at the helm of England’s white-ball cricket setup.
“I do think Jos and Motty should stay on. Given they came into the tournament with the least amount of expectation, they made the semi-final and you have to acknowledge that. You shouldn’t take that for granted – it’s not a given you can get there, with the likes of Australia not making it and New Zealand being knocked out in the group stage. There were various challenges other teams couldn’t overcome and England did, so a lot of credit has to go to both of them in that instance,” Morgan told Melinda Farrell for Wisden Cricket Monthly.
Morgan emphasized that the inclusion of Andrew Flintoff and Kieron Pollard in England’s coaching setup will enhance the team’s ability to execute their strategies effectively. He acknowledged that England’s failure to defeat top-tier white-ball teams would be a significant point of critique in evaluating their World Cup performance.
“The addition of Andrew Flintoff and Kieron Pollard in the backroom staff, I believe that’s aided both of them, and the team. It was a good decision to get them on board. One thing that will be flagged is that they only beat West Indies out of the Full Member nations but, still, they managed to get to a semi-final. So, for me, Mott and Buttler stay in their positions, particularly when I don’t see any obvious replacements. Giving them more time to get better and grow is the decision that should be made” Morgan further said.
England Need To Identify Next Generation Of White-Ball Players: Eoin Morgan
It’s notable that England, entering both the ODI and T20I World Cups as defending champions, did not meet the anticipated standards under Jos Buttler’s leadership. The team experienced disappointment, losing six out of nine matches in the ODI World Cup and narrowly securing qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Morgan underscored the urgency of identifying the next cohort of players in England’s white-ball cricket, particularly with several senior players nearing the conclusion of their careers. This preparation becomes crucial as England gears up for upcoming challenges like the ICC Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup in 2026.
“The likes of Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Jonny Bairstow, guys coming towards the twilight of their career, a plan will have to be drawn up by the leadership group and the selector Luke Wright as to what’s the best way forward for the team. Who are their best talents going forward? Try and identify who can fill those roles” Morgan concluded saying.
Ahead of their clash in September 2024, England is scheduled to engage in three T20Is followed by a five-match ODI series against Australia.
