Morgan to focus only on ODI and T20

Feb 24, 2017 - 7:12 PM Eoin Morgan has opted to forsake his Test career and focus all international ambition exclusively on leading England to the 2019 World Cup.

England's white-ball captain was speaking on the eve of the first warm-up match, facing the UWI Vice-Chancellor's XI at Warner Park in St Kitts before three ODIs against West Indies, as he mapped out his and his team's short and long-term plans.

They will include ensuring all 14 tourists take part in at least one of the two List A fixtures, on Saturday and Monday - and will not necessarily feature Alex Hales on this tour despite the opener's anticipated addition to England's squad following a scan on Monday to confirm the extent of his recovery from a broken hand.

Morgan himself, meanwhile, has come to terms with his highly probable full stop in Test matches.

Asked if he sees any likelihood of revisiting a format he last played more than five years ago, he said: "I think Test cricket has gone for me. I don't think I'll ever play it again."

At 30, the inventive left-hander is already a veteran of 240 limited-overs internationals.

He is therefore focused on England's white-ball aspirations and specifically campaigns in this summer's Champions Trophy and the World Cup two years later, both on home soil.

Morgan anticipates being in charge for both, adding: "Yes, absolutely. That's where all the plans are going towards, what we're working towards as a side so it will be great to be a part of it."

Could he also stop playing first-class cricket too then, and rest between Twenty20 domestic leagues and white-ball internationals?

He could, but will not be doing so - yet.

"I think if that's what I wanted to do, then yes," said the Irishman.

"But it's not - at the moment it's not."

He will therefore try to fit in County Championship fixtures with Middlesex this summer.

"I think it's more important for me to actually strive to keep working on my game in red-ball cricket, to continue to work on the first 30 balls I face in a white-ball game.

"While that desire is still there, the idea in my mind that I need to keep working on the red-ball game, I'll stick with it."

Possible England team (v UWI Vice-Chancellor's XI at Warner Park): E Morgan (Capt), S Billings, J Roy, J Root, J Buttler (wkt), J Bairstow, M Ali, C Woakes, A Rashid, L Plunkett, JBall.

Source: AAP