Uncle Buck
Ghost Writer
- Jul 7, 2003
- 28,075
As last a bit of sense from the ECB;
Alastair Cook has been removed as England one-day captain, less than two months before the World Cup, and replaced by fellow batsman Eoin Morgan.
Cook, 29, who was appointed to lead the one-day side in 2011, averages only 27.52 in his last 20 one-dayers.
During the recent 5-2 series defeat in Sri Lanka, Cook insisted he would not resign, but a selectors' meeting on Friday took the decision for him.
Morgan began his career with Ireland and has played 107 ODIs for England.
The left-hander, however, is in a similarly poor run of form, averaging only 25.45 in his last 23 matches
The end of Cook's reign as one-day captain comes at the end of a turbulent year for the opener, in which he has presided over a 5-0 Ashes defeat, the sacking of Kevin Pietersen and calls for him to stand down as Test captain.
Though he turned around his form and the fortunes of his side with 3-1 series win over India, pressure on Cook's position as ODI skipper increased with a 3-1 home series defeat by the same opponents and the unsuccessful tour of Sri Lanka.
Though England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Paul Downton said he would be "surprised" if Cook was replaced before the World Cup, he did not have a vote on the four-man selection panel.
Meanwhile, coach Peter Moores, a selector alongside James Whittaker, Mick Newell and Angus Fraser, refused to guarantee that Cook's place as World Cup leader was secure.
This came against the backdrop of a host of former England captains - including Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart and Michael Vaughan - calling for Cook to be replaced as captain.
Alastair Cook has been removed as England one-day captain, less than two months before the World Cup, and replaced by fellow batsman Eoin Morgan.
Cook, 29, who was appointed to lead the one-day side in 2011, averages only 27.52 in his last 20 one-dayers.
During the recent 5-2 series defeat in Sri Lanka, Cook insisted he would not resign, but a selectors' meeting on Friday took the decision for him.
Morgan began his career with Ireland and has played 107 ODIs for England.
The left-hander, however, is in a similarly poor run of form, averaging only 25.45 in his last 23 matches
The end of Cook's reign as one-day captain comes at the end of a turbulent year for the opener, in which he has presided over a 5-0 Ashes defeat, the sacking of Kevin Pietersen and calls for him to stand down as Test captain.
Though he turned around his form and the fortunes of his side with 3-1 series win over India, pressure on Cook's position as ODI skipper increased with a 3-1 home series defeat by the same opponents and the unsuccessful tour of Sri Lanka.
Though England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Paul Downton said he would be "surprised" if Cook was replaced before the World Cup, he did not have a vote on the four-man selection panel.
Meanwhile, coach Peter Moores, a selector alongside James Whittaker, Mick Newell and Angus Fraser, refused to guarantee that Cook's place as World Cup leader was secure.
This came against the backdrop of a host of former England captains - including Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart and Michael Vaughan - calling for Cook to be replaced as captain.
