Daily Times

England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan will take his time before committing to lead the side at next year’s Twenty20 tournament in Australia.

The 32-year-old struggled with a back problem during last month’s dramatic success on home soil and was restricted to limited training.

There has been speculation about Morgan’s future in the role and, if he does not intend to continue for next October’s World T20, England may wish to name his successor in time for this winter’s trip to New Zealand.

After taking a two-week break, Morgan has been playing limited-overs cricket for Middlesex this month but has yet to decide on the England captaincy.

“I need more time to think, that’s the honest answer. It’s a big decision, it’s a big commitment,” he told BBC Test Match Special.

“Given the injury that I went through in the World Cup, I need time to get fully fit. I need time to get back fit because the only training I could do throughout the World Cup was quite limited.

“I actually need the season to end pretty soon so I can have that time to physically get fit and guarantee it’s not an injury risk between this year and next and then I’ll be able to make a call on it.”

Asked if he wants to lead England at the tournament, he replied: “Absolutely, who doesn’t?

“But I don’t want to let anybody down. When you lead, you have to lead from the front. And you have to be physically fit to start, fighting form is another thing. Hopefully that works itself out.”

Ashley Giles has been keen not to rush Morgan into making a decision.

Giles, managing director of men’s cricket for the England and Wales Cricket Board, said a fortnight ago that he had not spoken to Morgan about his position.

“I’ve not talked to him yet and I’ve done that quite purposely. I want to give him some time,” said Giles.

“We’ll have a chat at some point but he’s still probably got to come back down to earth, do some thinking and then we’ll get together and have a chat. We’re not rushed at the moment.”