ECB wise to recall Morgan and Hales

ECB wise to recall Morgan and Hales

England have recalled Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales to their squads for the One-Day International and Twenty20 series with India early next year after both missed the 50-overs series in Bangladesh because of security fears. That both have returned is not a surprise. England's Director of Cricket Andrew Strauss had pledged that anyone who did not want to travel to Bangladesh would not be penalised for that call in future selection decisions, and he has been true to his word.

Both are also key members of England's short-form teams. Morgan's leadership has been an important factor in the development of England's white-ball cricket since the last 50-over World Cup. Despite a middling 2016 with the bat in ODIs, averaging just 29.81 with two half-centuries, it has not yet got to the stage where he does not make the best eleven England can pick, although he would do well to quash any such misgivings with some runs in the series.

Similarly, Hales is also a vital member of England's short form squads and his partnership at the top of the order with Surrey's Jason Roy is a strong feature of the side's play. Hales's form in ODIs has been excellent this year, averaging 61.91 and making 171 in August against Pakistan, England's highest ever ODI score. Although his form in T20Is has been less impressive - averaging just 18 from eight games - his selection, like that of Morgan's, was never in doubt.

And nor should it have been. Whilst the Bangladesh tour went ahead safely, Strauss and England's management gave their players free choice over whether to make the trip or not. Morgan and Hales should not be penalised for taking the option to stay at home even if a majority - your correspondent included - thought they should go. If the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) expected its players to go, it should not have given them the option to miss the tour.

Not that that argument holds much sway with some. On social media there has been vehement criticism of their decision from England supporters, talk of letting the country down, of them never being picked again. Some former players have questioned whether it will harm team unity. Mostly, it has been a lot of hot air. From the supportive noises made by several of their teammates when their decisions were made, it has not obviously dented the camaraderie or team spirit either.

For all of England's progress in white-ball cricket, and it has been quite an improvement, the recall of Morgan and Hales is also a decision based on the reality of the alternative options. Both James Vince and Ben Duckett have been left out of the squad which played in Bangladesh, and although Joe Root has returned after being rested and Sam Billings keeps his place, there are few other proven options for a tough assignment in subcontinental conditions.

England need both Morgan and Hales, two of their most experienced players, if they are to hope to compete with India in the three ODIs and T20Is. Morgan in particular, will be vital in the middle overs against spin, his ability to sweep both conventionally and reverse as well as his usage of feet, will be an important counterpoint against Ashwin. Similarly, Hales has an important role to play in taking advantage of the early overs when the ball is hard, and before the spinners have come on.

Their selection may raise a few eyebrows but it shouldn't and neither were Morgan or Hales ever in danger of losing their places for the limited-overs part of the Indian tour - Trevor Bayliss has confirmed as much. Their decision to not tour Bangladesh should now be put to bed. Instead, England need to look ahead to more pressing matters, like how to avoid a Test series defeat in Mumbai.