Eoin Morgan to miss third ODI in the Netherlands through injury

JAMES COYNE IN AMSTELVEEN: Morgan, who made ducks in each of the first and second matches of the series, has sustained a groin problem which will force him out of the final encounter

James Coyne | 22/06/2022 at 08:31

England captain Eoin Morgan faces further scrutiny about his international future after being ruled out of the third and final one-day international against the Netherlands by a recurring groin strain.

An ECB spokesperson said the decision was "precautionary".

Morgan, 35, had signalled before the series that he would be prepared to sit out some of the home matches against India and South Africa to protect aches and strains in an intense schedule including games on back-to-back days.

He had also said he was unable to “commit 100 per cent” to playing all three games on this trip. But there have been two days’ break between the second and third ODIs in Amstelveen. Morgan missed England’s optional training session on Tuesday.

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^{Eoin Morgan is out of the third ODI in Amsterdam [Getty Images]}

His lean run of form with the bat – one fifty in his last 26 ODI and T20I innings – has plummeted further on this trip with consecutive ducks in otherwise comfortable England victories.

With no specialist batting back-up in the squad, England look set to replace him for today’s game with a bowler. Jos Buttler will captain the side.

England’s next white-ball match will be the start of the T20I series against India at Southampton on July 7.

But there will be heightened debate about whether Morgan – due to a combination of low scores and fitness issues – can realistically remain in charge of a squad with so many alternative options, whatever his glittering leadership record since 2015.