As expected, and feared, Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales won’t be travelling with the England team to Bangladesh due to security concerns. The ‘decision saga’ went alongside the England-Pakistan limited overs series and sometimes pushed the game in the background. And as the delay continued, it became clear that it won’t be good news as far as cricket fans are concerned.
Since the decision made by Morgan and Hales is a personal one which relates to them not being in the right frame of mind to travel to a country where a major terrorist attack happened, we should take it at face value and not put any blame on the players.
It’s their life and they are free to do whatever they are comfortable with. But so can the rest of the England team management and board officials.
There are hardly any certainties in life but once England’s long-serving security chief Reg Dickason gave the safety apparatus in Bangladesh his stamp of approval, the players and support staff was expected to pack their bags and board the flight. Test skipper Alastair Cook allayed fears by assuring his presence and that made it easier for the rest of the players. Well, everyone but two.
Players were ostensibly given an opportunity to make their own decision but we know that’s not how it works.
The England establishment is ready to play in Bangladesh and if any player has a problem with a decision made at the highest level, there are going to be consequences. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
For Morgan, his leadership role has taken a major hit and even he must know that he won’t enjoy the unflinching support of his team-mates on the field from now on. Both Morgan and Hales realise their position in the limited overs and Test teams, respectively, is not safe and I am sure they are ready for any eventuality.
It would be better for the cricketing public to close this chapter and look ahead to what is an amazing opportunity for a young and talented team. With Morgan and Hales not in the team, Jos Buttler can field young players who would otherwise not have made it to the team.
For starters, both Buttler and fellow wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow can play together and that is something many had been hoping for.
Also, if someone like Sam Billings, or the untested Ben Duckett, has an exceptional series in Bangladesh then the two players who opted out will find it tough to come back into the side. England might just unearth some special talent or find the perfect mix for white ball cricket.
Let’s not forget, the series in Bangladesh is a tough one as they have thrashed heavyweights like India, Pakistan and South Africa at home in ODIs. The Tigers also beat England and knocked them out of the 2015 World Cup. So any good performance now will stay in the mind of selectors when the team is finalised for the 2017 Champions Trophy and later the 2019 World Cup, both of which will be held in England.
It’s a great chance for Buttler to test his captaincy skills over a longer duration. The wicketkeeper batsman is in exceptional form in limited overs and should be more assertive in the field as opposed to Morgan, who has not been in top form this year in ODIs – averaging less than 30 in 15 matches.
For the team, it’s an opportunity to look at the future and also prove their mettle against a dangerous Bangladesh side. If they do well now, it will prove decisively that England have turned over a new leaf when it comes to white ball cricket and are serious contenders for top honours.
That’s all cricket fans need to consider. Can’t do much about the rest of it. Hales and Morgan might end up paying a big price for their decision. Let’s not heap any more misery on them.