Eoin Morgan ruled out of ODI series, with Sam Billings to miss second game

Liam Livingstone will replace Morgan for his ODI debut, while Dawid Malan has been added to the squad. Jos Buttler will take over as captain

England captain Eoin Morgan will miss the final two ODIs of the ongoing series against India in Pune because of injury.

Morgan split the webbing between his thumb and index finger while fielding on Tuesday. Although he was passed fit to bat later in the 66-run defeat, the issue required four stitches and the decision was made after a fielding drill on Thursday.

Morgan said: “I had the hand re-dressed before the start of training today but it quickly became apparent that I found myself protecting the injury and getting into the wrong positions to catch the ball.

“There’s nowhere to hide on the field in international cricket these days, especially in limited-over formats so it didn’t require any great thought to make myself unavailable.

“It was a freak injury and it’s extremely frustrating but there’s nothing I can do about it. It’s now just a case of letting the cut heal. I have every confidence in Jos and the rest of the squad coping without me.”

^{Sam Billings will miss the second ODI}

Jos Buttler will take the reins in Morgan’s absence, with Lancashire allrounder Liam Livingstone confirmed as his replacement, making his ODI debut in the process.

Sam Billings will also miss the second ODI, with a call on his availability for the final match to be made in due course.

He landed awkwardly while fielding on the boundary in the same game, suffering a bruised left collar bone. He, too, was able to bat but did not train on Thursday.

Dawid Malan, with the tour party as cover, has been drafted into the squad and is available for selection.

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