Eoin Morgan Backs England’s Decision on Harry Brook’s Omission from ODI World Cup Squad

Eoin Morgan, the captain who led England to victory in the 2019 Men’s ODI World Cup, has expressed his support for England’s decision to exclude Harry Brook from the upcoming Men’s ODI World Cup squad.

On August 16, England’s ODI squad announcement revealed that Harry Brook would not be part of the team due to the return of all-rounder Ben Stokes from retirement. Stokes’ return aims to strengthen England’s efforts to defend their World Cup title, which they clinched four years ago on home soil. The tournament is scheduled to take place in India from October 5 to November 19, sparking a wide-ranging debate since the announcement.

Brook’s Limited ODI Experience

Despite his notable success in Test matches and T20Is, Harry Brook has only participated in three ODIs for England, all of which took place earlier this year against South Africa. At the domestic level, his involvement in 50-over cricket has been sparse due to scheduling conflicts, notably with events like The Hundred in recent years.

“In really good teams that have a lot of talent, but mainly a lot of success, there are really good players that miss out. When I look at the squad that has been selected, I can’t get Harry Brook into that squad. You need two seamers and an extra spinner which they have cover for, but an extra batter in amongst that, I just can’t fit Harry Brook in, which is amazing to say,”

Morgan, who retired from international cricket last year, highlights the reality of strong teams sometimes having to leave out exceptional players. He emphasizes the importance of trust within the team and the collective goal, and he is confident that the team management, including Matthew Mott and Jos Buttler, won’t compromise this trust.

Addressing fans’ sentiments, Morgan stresses the necessity of understanding that decisions like Brook’s exclusion are driven by the larger objective of securing another ODI World Cup victory. He points out that building a balanced squad is crucial for success on the world stage, and it involves carefully considering players in various positions to ensure adequate coverage.

“A lot of fans out there will say, ‘You know what, you’ve got to get him in the team, get him in the team!’ But actually, what is the ultimate goal for the team? It is winning the World Cup.”

“And being in a position to win the World Cup, you have to have a balanced squad. You can’t just pick players in all the same positions because they are good players. You have to have all areas covered. Because if you don’t, on the big stage you get exposed. And I think the balance of the squad they have selected is actually a really good one.”

World Cup Campaign

England’s journey in the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup will commence with a highly anticipated match against New Zealand. This encounter marks a rematch of the 2019 final, adding to the excitement. The event will unfold at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5.

The ten-team tournament, scheduled to take place in India, will reach its climax with the final scheduled for November 19, also set to be held in Ahmedabad.

This news article is syndicated and published as-is from the news agency feed of IANS and has not been edited by the Smartkhabrinews staff.