Eoin Morgan: England Don’t Know Best XI For 3 T20I And 3 ODI Series

Nov 26, 2020 at 6:55 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
Eoin Morgan: England Don’t Know Best XI For 3 T20I And 3 ODI Series

Eoin Morgan, England skipper says that he does not know his best XI going into the three-match Twenty20 International series against hosts South Africa that starts at Newlands on Friday.

England have a full-strength squad to choose from for the first time this year and Eoin Morgan admits there is plenty to ponder in both the batting and bowling line-ups, as well as the balance of the side in the shortest format.

Eoin Morgan and Joe Root.
Eoin Morgan and Joe Root. Image Credit: Getty Images.

Eoin Morgan: England Don’t Know Best XI Yet For South Africa ODIs

The England cricket team are currently touring South Africa during November and December 2020 to play three ODI and 3 T20I matches. The ODI series will be a part of the inaugural 2020–22 ICC World Cup Super League.

On 18 June 2019, against Afghanistan at Old Trafford, Eoin Morgan scored 148 from 71 balls. His innings included 17 sixes, the most sixes by an individual in an ODI innings.  Eoin Morgan’s century came from 57 balls, the fastest by an England batsman in a Cricket World Cup match. On 14 July 2019, led by Eoin Morgan, England won the World Cup for the first time, beating New Zealand in the final on boundaries after the match and super over both were tied.

Sam Curran
Sam Curran-Photo Credit: BCCI/IPL.

“We don’t know our best XI yet,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“There are probably seven or eight guys who are strong candidates to be in the first XI. But with a full-strength squad here there is so much to discuss around team selection. To start with, you need to try and figure out who your best six or seven batsmen are, then try and get them in the roles that best suit them and the team, and that gives you the best chance of winning the games.”

Ben Stokes looks certain to play as one all-rounder, but whether England will play another all-rounder in the number seven batting position is unclear. The question is whether they pick seamer Sam Curran or spinner Moeen Ali, both of whom can bat as well.

Eoin Morgan: Looking Ahead To World Cup England Need Option Of Two Spinners

The fact that the 2021 Twenty20 World Cup will be played in India next October and November, in conditions very different to seamer-friendly South Africa, is another piece of the puzzle for the selectors.

“Looking ahead to the World Cup we will probably need the option of two spinners. Then again, if we have the luxury of two all-rounders in the side (in these conditions) in Ben and Sam, that is also huge. Winning at the moment would be great, but it is more important that we get the players’ roles right and they get comfortable in them. Then the results will look after themselves.”

Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer.
Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. Photo Credit: BCCI/IPL.

England have rested Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes in ODIs while they are present in T20Is. Chris Woakes, Liam Livingstone, Lewis Gregory and Olly Stone are in ODI squad.

Related Article
IND vs ENG: England’s Mindset Has Been Encouraging Despite The Conditions – Eoin Morgan Hails Ben Stokes-led Side’s Positive Brand Of Cricket Against India
IND vs ENG: England’s Mindset Has Been Encouraging Despite The Conditions – Eoin Morgan Hails Ben Stokes-led Side’s Positive Brand Of Cricket Against India

Jan 27, 2024, 4:16 PM


IPL 2024: Gautam Gambhir Knows How To Get It Done And Will Make A Positive Impact – Eoin Morgan Backs Kolkata Knight Riders To Have Good Season
IPL 2024: Gautam Gambhir Knows How To Get It Done And Will Make A Positive Impact – Eoin Morgan Backs Kolkata Knight Riders To Have Good Season

Dec 19, 2023, 3:31 PM


IPL 2024: They Don’t See Any Short-Term Planning In Anything That They Do – Eoin Morgan Hails Mumbai Indians For Bringing In Hardik Pandya As Captain
IPL 2024: They Don’t See Any Short-Term Planning In Anything That They Do – Eoin Morgan Hails Mumbai Indians For Bringing In Hardik Pandya As Captain

Dec 19, 2023, 1:54 PM


They’re Still Establishing A Strong Relationship Between Each Other – Eoin Morgan Wants Jos Buttler And Matthew Mott To Continue Until 2024 T20 World Cup
They’re Still Establishing A Strong Relationship Between Each Other – Eoin Morgan Wants Jos Buttler And Matthew Mott To Continue Until 2024 T20 World Cup

Nov 8, 2023, 2:27 PM


ODI World Cup 2023: We All Love Morgs, But Hand On Heart… – Liam Livingstone Replies To Eoin Morgan About The Unrest In Dressing Room
ODI World Cup 2023: We All Love Morgs, But Hand On Heart… – Liam Livingstone Replies To Eoin Morgan About The Unrest In Dressing Room

Oct 30, 2023, 4:07 PM


ODI World Cup 2023: If Eoin Morgan Is Seeing Something That I’m Not, I Will Definitely Have That Conversation – Matthew Mott
ODI World Cup 2023: If Eoin Morgan Is Seeing Something That I’m Not, I Will Definitely Have That Conversation – Matthew Mott

Oct 30, 2023, 1:10 PM