Eoin Morgan replaces Alastair Cook as England skipper in ODIs

Eoin Morgan replaces Alastair Cook as England skipper in ODIs: In the wake of poor form of Alastair Cook and disastrous performances of the National side, the England and Wales Cricket Board has finally decided to relieve Alastair Cook of his duties. The decision comes after the recent debacle of England in Sri Lanka where they lost 5-2. Under Cook’s captaincy, England also lost the home ODI series against both Sri Lanka and India during the summer.

Cook, took over the captaincy from Andrew Strauss after the 2012 home series against South Africa. He has achieved success in his test career as a captain but in ODIs, his captaincy records doesn’t inspire much. The lowest point of Cook’s career came, when he lost the Ashes 0-5 to Australia in Australia, followed it up with 1-4 loss in the ODI series.

If sources are anything to go by, Eoin Morgan is now set to lead England during the tri-series involving India and Australia and then the Cricket World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Cook’s personal form does not inspire much as he scored just 1 fifty in his last 22 ODI innings.

To spice up the things, Kevin Pietersen is reported to have said again that he is open to play for England and dreams of representing his adopted nation in the 2015 World Cup. He is reported to be waiting for the comeback call from ECB.

Recent series losses of Alastair Cook in ODIs:

1. Lost 2-5 to Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in November-December 2014
2. Lost 1-3 to India in England in August-September 2014
3. Lost 2-3 to Sri Lanka in England in June-July 2014
4. Lost 1-4 to Australia in Australia in January-February 2014
5. Lost 1-2 to New Zealand in England in June 2013

The England selectors also said that Cook is not among the 15 best players that will form England’s team for the World Cup 2015. And the former captain has not only been striped off his role as skipper but has been dropped from the ODI and World Cup squad though he will remain to lead the team in test cricket.

The ECB National Selector James Whitaker said: “We spent a considerable time yesterday discussing the make up of a squad that gives England the best possible chance of success at the World Cup which begins in less than two months. Having reviewed the recent series against Sri Lanka we came to the conclusion that there was no place for Alastair Cook amongst our strongest 15 one-day players and therefore recommended Eoin Morgan be appointed One-Day captain.”

The Managing Director England Cricket Paul Downton, said:
“I have complete confidence in the decision made by the selectors and having spent time with Alastair yesterday he accepts that it has been made in the best interests of the one-day side.

A dejected Cook responded to his exclusion saying, “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. I would also like to thank all the players and fans who have supported me during my time as One-Day captain.”

The England team director further added that, “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. I would like to congratulate him on the appointment and wish him, Peter Moores and the rest of the squad all the very best over the next three months.
He also added that though Cook has been axed from the limited over’s team, he will remain as an integral part of England’s test team, “Alastair remains an integral part of England cricket and continues to have a vital role in developing our emerging Test side. I would like to thank him for his leadership of the one-day side since 2011, a period which saw the team reach number one in the world, Alastair lead the team to more wins than any previous England captain and also make the final of the ICC Champions Trophy. Alastair will now focus on an exciting and challenging year of Test cricket beginning with a series against West Indies followed by an Ashes summer culminating in a series against South Africa next winter.” Downton said.

A happy Eoin Morgan on his promotion as the skipper of the England team for the tri-series in Australia and the World Cup 2015 said, “It is a huge honour to captain England and I am delighted to be leading the one-day side. 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. We all recognise we still have a lot of work to do on our one-day game but the potential of this group of players is huge and it is now up to us as players to turn that potential into consistent performances on the international stage starting next month against Australia and India.”