Former England captain Eoin Morgan has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to bring back Ben Stokes and Joe Root to the ODI squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place in Pakistan. Morgan believes that the return of these experienced players will strengthen the team’s chances in the prestigious tournament.
Stokes and Root, key figures in England’s victorious 2019 World Cup campaign, last appeared in ODIs during the 2023 World Cup, where England struggled to defend their title. Following the disappointing campaign, Stokes decided to focus solely on Test cricket, stepping away from the ODI format.
The younger players have shown a lot of promise recently, especially in the series against Australia: Eoin Morgan
During the launch of the International Masters League in Mumbai, Morgan praised the young English side’s recent performances in the limited-overs series against Australia and expressed confidence in their potential. He encouraged the team to continue playing with the same aggressive approach in the Champions Trophy.
Morgan stated, “The younger players have shown a lot of promise recently, especially in the series against Australia. They found a strong template despite missing key players like [Jofra] Archer, Wood, Stokes, Root, and Buttler. I believe they should stick to this approach and build on it for the Champions Trophy.”
He emphasized that the inclusion of Stokes and Root could significantly boost England’s chances, despite current Test coach Brendon McCullum not yet officially reaching out to Stokes about his participation.
“Ben Stokes hasn’t received the call from Baz (McCullum) regarding his role in the Champions Trophy, but I believe his presence is crucial. For me, Stokes and Root belong in that best team if England aims to win a major tournament,” Morgan added.
Brendon McCullum is set to take on the full-time role as England’s head coach from January 2025, where he will play a key role in finalizing the squad for the Champions Trophy. His decision regarding the inclusion of veterans like Stokes and Root could shape England’s campaign in Pakistan.
