Eoin Morgan returns from isolation to lead strong T20 squad against Pakistan

Ben Stokes’ England understudies completed a stunning 3-0 ODI win against Pakistan on Tuesday, but Eoin Morgan returns to lead a strong T20 side from Friday, with players out of isolation today.

It has been a dramatic time for the England men’s team. Last Monday, three players and four members of staff tested positive after the ODI series against Sri Lanka, which sent the whole squad into isolation. An entirely new squad was called up under Stokes, and they thrashed Pakistan 3-0.

Morgan is one of nine players released from isolation today to be included (they will train at Trent Bridge this afternoon), while Jos Buttler is back from a calf tear.

Stokes, having returned early from rest, is left out, while coach Chris Silverwood – who aborted a family holiday in Norfolk – will also have a break.

His assistant Paul Collingwood, who was due to lead the ODIs against Pakistan, will take charge of a squad that contains plenty of senior players such as Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.

Five members of Stokes’s young squad have been retained: man of the series Saqib Mahmood, Matt Parkinson, Lewis Gregory, Dawid Malan (a T20 regular), and Jake Ball, who did not feature in the ODIs.

Missing from the squad that faced Sri Lanka are Sam Billings, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, George Garton and Joe Root (who is not currently in England’s T20 plans).

Players have tested positive for Covid-19, of course, but Silverwood also said that some all-format players had been left out to manage their workloads ahead of the Test series against India next month.

“The Royal London Series success against Pakistan showcased the exciting depth of talent we have developed in men’s white-ball cricket,” said Silverwood.

“We have selected a T20 squad that sees the return of many of our most experienced players after their period of isolation. Additionally, we have rewarded some of the players involved in the 50-over series win with selection which allows us to manage multi-format players as we prepare for the much-anticipated Test series against India.

“I would like to express my thanks to Ben Stokes and the players for their efforts over the last week, and the counties for their support in getting this series on.”

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