Captain Eoin Morgan feels for Phil Salt and Sam Hain after ODI omissions.
England captain Eoin Morgan admitted Phil Salt and Sam Hain were unlucky to be left out of the squad to face Ireland ahead of the one-day international series at the Ageas Bowl.
Sussex opener Salt registered a 58-ball hundred against the same opponents at the venue for England Lions on Sunday, while Warwickshire batsman Hain averages 59.78 in List A matches.
However, England have plumped for the more tried and trusted fringe players such as James Vince and Sam Billings ahead of their first series on home soil as world champions.
On the eve of Thursday’s opening match, Morgan said: “Over the last four-and-a-bit years we’ve always had tough decisions to make and I think everybody who was left out was a tough call.
“The standard and skill level that has been produced since the guys have come together has been exceptional. It’s been way above the standard that I expected given the time we had off.
“Certainly the two guys were unlucky to miss out, along with others. I think we’re blessed with a high calibre group of top-order batters, not only in the first XI but also sitting in the wings.”
Vince and Billings both average under 25 after 13 and 15 ODIs respectively, but retain Morgan’s confidence.
He added: “I think a lot of the perception is that they’ve almost had their chance and their time has gone, whereas we see it as: going into the next World Cup we need experienced guys making good decisions under pressure, that’s exactly what we’re after, and experience lends itself to that.
“We’ll continue to give opportunities, but it’s to those guys we feel might have an impact in selection on the next two T20 World Cups or the next 50-over World Cup.”
Latest
-
News
England Women wrap up 4-1 series victory in New Zealand
Heather Knight top-scored with 35 in England’s chase of 137.
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.