In the latest development, England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan is set to announce his retirement from international cricket, according to several reports in the English media. Morgan, who changed England cricket’s limited-overs approach and led the Three Lions to their maiden 50-over World Cup win in 2019, could make the official announcement on Tuesday.
Notably, Morgan had expressed his desire to lead England at the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia, but it is understood that rising concerns over form and fitness have forced him to take the tough call.
The 35-year-old cricketer, who started his international career with Ireland, has played 225 ODIs and 115 T20Is for England. Morgan has so far scored 7701 runs in 248 ODIs at an average of 39.29 with 14 centuries and 47 fifties. Similarly, in the shortest format, the left-handed batter has 2458 runs to his credit in 115 matches.
Moeen Ali, who has played 95 ODIs and 40 T20Is under Morgan’s captaincy, expressed his sadness over the development. Moeen reckoned Morgan is a selfless person, and he must have taken the decision for the English team’s benefit.
“He’s done a remarkable job. It is a shame. It is strange to comprehend the side without him. Things move on, and you have to get used to it, but it is sad. I’m not surprised at the same time because he is a very selfless person and probably is thinking about the team more than anything,” Moeen told BBC Test Match Special.
“We’ve been so strong over the years, and he probably feels like his time is done and that he’s given enough time for Jos, or whoever the captain is going to be, to embed his way,” he added.
