Eoin Morgan and Kieron Pollard focusing on squad development ahead of T20I series

The England skipper is keen to build a 'deeper, stronger squad' ahead of the 2022 World Cup while Pollard is attempting to build a new side as West Indies' golden generation bows out

Eoin Morgan and Kieron Pollard have both placed an emphasis on squad development ahead of the five-match T20I series between England and West Indies.

England skipper Morgan heads into the series with a side bereft of familiar faces, with the likes of Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood and Dawid Malan afforded some downtime following their efforts in the Ashes.

It means that Harry Brook, George Garton and David Payne could make their international debuts in the Caribbean after being included in England’s 17-strong squad while Phil Salt could make his T20I bow. There are also opportunities for fringe players like Sam Billings, Saqib Mahmood, Tom Banton and Liam Dawson to stake an early claim for a ticket to Australia in the autumn.

And for Morgan, keeping one eye on the future and exploring new talent is more important than a series win.

"A lot of talented guys will get opportunities throughout this series, which is very exciting, not only for the team, but for them as well. They don't get a lot of opportunity to go through a process like this so, for our long-term planning, as we strive to have deeper, stronger squads, it's very important," he said.

^{England have taken an unfamiliar squad to the Caribbean [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

"The group that we would normally take to a World Cup has been together for quite some time, so the planning behind that is important to us.

"The whole tour is one where the development of our game is more important than a series win. We've gone through this process before, and identifying the level of intensity, and our performance is far more important than the result.

"Normally the result looks after itself and going through that process has kept the identity of the team strong. The mantra in which we play has created a very healthy environment, and hopefully guys that come in can feel comfortable enough to try and apply that.”

West Indies skipper Pollard, meanwhile, has a more difficult task on his hands. Since the start of 2021, his side have won just nine of their 25 T20Is and crashed out the T20 World Cup in the Super 12s, winning one match from five.

Player availability due to Covid-19 has played its part in their downturn in form but they’ve also been rocked by the departures of many players from their golden generation, such as Chris Gayle and Dwayne who both retired at the end of the World Cup.

Of their 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup-winning squads, only Pollard, Darren Bravo and Jason Holder have been selected for this series. Their squad is instead loaded with players like Odean Smith, Dominic Drakes and Romario Shepherd who are looking to establish themselves on the international stage.  

"We need to improve the way we play, because our batting has definitely been a problem for us," Pollard said. "The good thing is that we have some new faces in the group, guys looking to make a name for themselves in our international scene.

"It's like we are starting from scratch, so we need to do the basics right. Play the situation of the game and analyse, assess, and make the right decisions, depending on what the team requires at that point in time."

^{Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo retired after the T20 World Cup [Francois Nel/Getty Images]}

Focusing on his side’s poor form and the questions surrounding his own captaincy, he continued: "Before the World Cup, there was no noise about the captaincy, but because of the campaign that transpired, it is necessary. In each and every tournament that you have, whether it's the World Cup or the Ashes, you expect casualties.

"If I'm not the right person to lead, then so be it, but cricket in the West Indies is not about Kieron Pollard. It's about the holistic approach of getting better, and grooming the youngsters, to put them in positions where they can feel comfortable in international cricket.

"I've never played cricket based on myself. I've always been based on the team and what is required at that point in time. I'm not just going to promote myself because I want to get a fifty, and I want to please the public, but if it is required, you can bet your bottom dollar, I'm going to put on that boxing glove and I am going to go there and fight for the team.

"We have a rich bunch of talented young individuals. Nicholas [Pooran] has been promoted to No.3 so that he can take more responsibility as well. We have a couple of new guys into the set-up. Each and every one of us has to play our role, and that's the only way that the vehicle can move forward."