England captain Eoin Morgan announces retirement from international cricket

Source/Instagram

England's 2019 World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan announces his retirement from international cricket. Morgan wanted to lead England during the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. But the struggles of the 35-year-old batter with his form and fitness over the last 18 months have prompted a change in heart. He led the side during the one-day series in the Netherlands this month but he was dismissed for a duck in two high-scoring matches and missed out on the final game due to a groin niggle.

pic.twitter.com/a32SSvCDXI

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2022

“The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) can confirm that England Men’s white-ball Captain Eoin Morgan has retired from international cricket with immediate effect. Morgan is the all-time leading run-scorer and most-capped player for England Men in both ODI and T20I matches,” ECB said in a statement.

"I'm hugely proud of what I have achieved, but what I will cherish and remember most are the memories I made with some of the greatest people I know."#ThankYouMorgs

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2022

"To call time on what has been without a doubt the most enjoyable and rewarding chapter of my career hasn`t been an easy decision," Morgan said. "But I believe now is the right time to do so, both for me, personally, and for both England white-ball sides I have led to this point. I have been lucky enough to play in two World Cup-winning teams, but I believe the future for England`s white-ball teams is brighter than ever. We have more experience, more strength and more depth than ever before. To what lies ahead for me, I will continue to enjoy playing at a domestic level while I can. I am really looking forward to playing and captaining London Spirit in the second edition of The Hundred this year," Morgan added.

Jos Buttler, his deputy in white-ball cricket has stepped in for his captain in times of need. The high-profile series against India consisting of three T20Is and three ODIs from July 7 onwards could be Buttler's first assignment as a full-time white-ball skipper. 

Morgan had replaced Alastair Cook as the white-ball captain prior to the 2015 50-over World Cup in Australia. Morgan lifted his side to the very top after an embarrassing exit from the tournament and revolutionised English white-ball cricket by encouraging a fearless, bold brand of cricket. This saw the ODI and T20I sides rise to the top of world rankings, with the World Cup 2019 win being the crown jewel of the revolution.

Morgan made his ODI debut for Ireland. Three years later, he switched his allegiance to England and will retire with a total of 248 ODIs under his belt, in which he has scored 7,701 runs with 14 centuries. He has also played 115 T20Is, adding 2,458 runs in the format with 14 half-centuries.
Morgan made his ODI debut for Ireland in 2006 before switching allegiances to England in 2009 and will retire having played a total of 248 ODIs, scoring 7,701 runs with 14 centuries, as well as 115 T20Is, adding a further 2,458 runs and 14 fifties. Morgan also scored two centuries in 16 Tests for England between 2010 and 2012. 

pic.twitter.com/jvvWprBSDK

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2022