LONDON (AP) – Alastair Cook has been stripped of the England One-Day captaincy two months before the Cricket World Cup, and replaced by Eoin Morgan.
England’s poor results and Cook’s loss of form led to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to leave him off the World Cup squad today.
The 29-year-old Cook had made just one 50 in his last 22 One-Day International innings.
“I am gutted to be left out of the World Cup squad and it is likely to take me a while to get over the disappointment,” Cook said in an ECB statement. “That said I wish Peter, Eoin and the lads all the best for the World Cup.”
Ben Stokes and Harry Gurney were also dropped for England’s full 15-man World Cup squad, which will initially play in the tri-series against hosts Australia and India next month. James Anderson and Stuart Broad return from injuries, while Gary Ballance is also back in the squad.
England’s World Cup campaign starts against Australia in Melbourne on February 14.
“It is a huge honour to captain England and I am delighted to be leading the One-Day side,” Morgan 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.”
ECB managing director Paul Downton said Cook remains an “integral part of England cricket and continues to have a vital role in developing our emerging test side”.
England Squad: Eoin Morgan (Captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Joe Root, James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.
