"For me, Stokes and Root are in that best team" - Eoin Morgan backs the inclusion of veterans for 2025 Champions Trophy
Former England player Eoin Morgan has backed Ben Stokes to return to the ODI side, with Brendon McCullum to take over as the white-ball coach in January 2025. The 2019 World Cup-winning captain also opined that Joe Root has a place in the ODI side despite his uneventful run in the format over the last couple of years.
For the recent Australia series at home, England chose to back youngsters like Jordan Cox, Jacob Bethell, and Dan Mousley, among others, while veterans such as Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan were omitted.
The new-look squad, led by Harry Brook in the absence of the injured Jos Buttler, lost the five-match affair 2-3, but there were several positives to consider. A similar squad has been named for the upcoming Caribbean tour, which will be crucial as far as the preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy are considered.
The tournament in Pakistan will be Brendon McCullum's first major white-ball assignment after he takes over from interim coach Marcus Trescothick. The red-ball coach's role expansion led to Stokes declaring that he is open to yet another comeback in ODI cricket after originally retiring in 2022.
"Ben Stokes has already said that he hasn't had the call yet from Baz as to whether he will play or not. If that call comes, obviously, he would love to play. In my eyes, they've got to come into a major world tournament and look to win it, and that means trying to find the best team - and for me, Stokes and Root are in that best team," Morgan told ESPN Cricinfo at the launch of the International Masters League.
"The younger players playing in the upcoming series against the West Indies, and then coming here [India] in February, the opportunity is there in front of your face. And that opportunity can be quickly taken away when those big names come back," Morgan added.
As far as Root's ODI career is concerned, he last played during the 2023 World Cup in India. He has not been considered for England's recent 50-over endeavors as the management prioritizes his Test cricket returns.
"I would encourage them to continue with that template and look ahead to the Champions Trophy" - Morgan backs England to succeed with an aggressive approach
Eoin Morgan played a huge hand in England's white-ball revolution after their early exit from the 2015 World Cup in Australia. They went on to lift the title four years later. An aggressive approach, coupled with impressive batting depth, played a huge role in the triumph.
England are once again at a crossroads in their white-ball journey after finishing sixth in the 2023 edition. The likes of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow are not in the scheme of things anymore, as the management looks to groom a new batch of emerging players.
"At the moment, I'm happy to back the younger players. In the recent series against Australia, they found a template. The run chase at Durham, when Harry Brook scored that magnificent hundred and then just went on to find his feet as captain… the template that they found in that game, I thought, is one that really suits the players that they've selected. I would encourage them to continue with that template and look ahead to the Champions Trophy," Morgan said in the same interview.
England's white-ball series in the Caribbean marks skipper Jos Buttler's return from a calf injury. The eight-match affair, comprising ODIs and T20Is, will begin from October 31 onwards.