Cook omitted from England’s WC squad

Opener replaced by Eoin Morgan as England’s ODI captain and fails to find a spot in the 15-man squad for the World Cup.

Cook averages 27.5 in his last 20 ODIs [REUTERS]

Alastair Cook has been replaced by Eoin Morgan as England’s ODI captain and the opener has also been omitted from England’s 15-man World Cup squad.

Opener Cook, who has been woefully out of form with the bat but will remain as Test captain, had widely been expected to lose the one-day captaincy but would have had hopes of retaining his place in the squad, which was named on Saturday.

“I’m gutted to be left out of the World Cup squad and it is likely to take me a while to get over the disappointment,” said Cook.

Cook was at the helm when England lost 5-2 in Sri Lanka in this month’s one-day series.

The 29-year-old Essex batsman has toiled all year in the 50-over format, hitting 523 runs in 20 matches at a mediocre average of 27.52.

“We spent a considerable time yesterday discussing the makeup of a squad that gives England the best possible chance of success at the World Cup which begins in less than two months,” selector James Whitaker said in a news release.

“Having reviewed the recent series against Sri Lanka we came to the conclusion that there was no place for Alastair Cook amongst our strongest 15 one-day players and therefore recommended Eoin Morgan be appointed one-day captain.”

Swashbuckling middle-order batsman Morgan has fared even worse with the bat in 2014, averaging 25.45.

But the 28-year-old Middlesex left-hander has an impressive record in the eight one-day matches in which he has captained England, piling up 427 runs at an average of 71.16.

“It is a huge honour to captain England and I am delighted to be leading the one-day side,” he said.

“I firmly believe that with the players currently involved in the one-day set up we have the makings of a very good one-day side, a young side that can surprise people at the World Cup.”

England will warm up for the World Cup by playing in a Tri-Series competition in Australia next month that also features India.

Source: Al Jazeera, News Agencies