Morgan proposes ‘left-field’ white-ball captaincy plan

Eoin Morgan says England could make a “left-field call” with their new white-ball captaincy and create an arrangement where Test skipper Ben Stokes is parachuted in to do the job for major tournaments.

England are looking for a new captain for the men’s one-day and T20 sides after Jos Buttler resigned following their early exit in the Champions Trophy.

Morgan, who skippered England to 50-over World Cup glory in 2019, has suggested a scenario where a “lieutenant” of Stokes ‘ holds the reins for the vast majority of bilateral series with the red-ball skipper brought back for World Cups.

England director of men’s cricket Rob Key said earlier this month it would be “stupid” not to consider Stokes as a white-ball captain.

Stokes, 33, has been Test captain since 2022 but the all-rounder has not played white-ball cricket for England since the 2023 50-over World Cup.

“I think a bit of a left-field call would be to ask Ben Stokes to consider the role, not necessarily on a full-time basis”, Morgan told Sky Sports.

“You would have to create an environment where Ben would slip in and out seamlessly in preparation for big tournaments and then sit on the backburner and focus on Test match cricket until those big tournaments came up.

Morgan was impressed with the manner in which Brook skippered England’s white-ball side against Australia last summer while Buttler was absent because of injury.

Morgan, who played 225 ODIs and 115 T20 Internationals for England, said the” leadership role didn’t seem to weigh “on Brook and he was one of the” options “on the table depending on the” direction they want to take”.

” If you highlight something that’s in three years, four years, somebody like Harry Brook would do a magnificent job, “Morgan, 38, said.